In Remberance of Frank Gibbs

Our dear friend and honorary member of the South Dakota Woodcarvers, Inc. passed away February 18, 2014.  Our club and its individual members were among  many of the benefactors of Frank's generosity and willingness to be of service to any one who needed help.  We very much appreciated his judging our competitions and inviting us over to his house to see his collection of fine art.  His memorial service today at the First Reformed Church in Sioux Falls was truly inspirational, and I feel privileged to have been familiar with many of the characterizations and anecdotes  that were told by family and friends.

In particular I am honored to have shared in some small way in the story of his son-in-law asking him for his daughter's hand in marriage.  He leaned back in his chair and said "Well...Quite Frankly...", and that of course was the title of the carving his family commissioned me to do. 

Welcome Springtime!

Whether you attempt the super realistic or a simple folk art style, songbird carving is a lot of fun--especially  after a long hard winter.  We will continue working on bird carving this Saturday.  In the meantime check out some of the videos about bird carving on YouTube.  Unless you're making something to enter in one of those really strict competitions, you probably don't want to bother with making your own bird legs and feet, but here is one that shows how it's done:  Bird Foot Construction

One of my favorite bird carvings is a Cardinal done by Frank Orthmeyer.  Folks who have attended his carving sessions Monday and Saturday mornings probably have one of its
off springs.

 

34th Annual Artists of the Plains Art Show & Sale

Begin chopping in September

It has been a few years since I was listed as one of the artists appearing in the Center for Western Studies Art Show, so I was happy to accept the invitation for this year..   Anticipating that possibility late in September of last year, I started one of the most difficult and risky wood carving projects I've every attempted.  My goal was to create a bust of George Washington in a chunk of black walnut that would resemble what most people could recognize as the same person they see on the dollar bill but, also, to show the  facial expression of a resurrected George Washington viewing the current state of the union. 

Hard to know if you're not cutting off too much

The Show begins Friday evening, Feb. 14, and ends Sunday, Feb. 16,  at 3:30.  So I will miss the February meeting of SDWC, but maybe I will see you all at the show.  I don't know exactly how our new "carving theme" approach to club projects is going to work, but someone will probably have some song bird cut outs available. Please bring what ever you have to share on the subject of song bird carving!

Start the New Year Out with Sharp Tools!

There has been no special carving project prepared for this Saturday's meeting, so why not have a tool sharpening seminar?  Bring your favorite dull tool, stones, strops, or any power sharpening tools that are portable enough.  Or just bring your already sharp tools and a project of your own to work on. 

Silent Auction Benefit for National Kidney Foundation

As part of the 2013 Christmas Show and Sale at the Park Ridge Galleria in Sioux Falls, a Silent Auction provided the National Kidney Foundation with a check for $300.00.  With only four of our members exhibiting their work for show and sale, the auction was a welcome addition.

Thanks to members of our club for donating carvings, tools, and books.  Thanks to the Willocks in Faribault, MN for donating three one-year subscriptions to their Carving Magazine along with sample issues.  Thanks to David and Sally Nye for donating their latest book on fan bird carving.  Many thanks to Gene Dickey and his family for setting up the tables and managing the sales and all the details for the Silent Auction.  And, of course, we must thank our own Glen Ilse for showing up as Santa Clause.