WOODCARVING

In the fall of 2004, I enrolled to study woodcarving under the man of many talents Jon Alley. This would be my final class studying fine woodworking at Bucks County Community College.

​I didn't realize at the time that this class would open the door to what would become my calling and passion in life.

​Previous to this class I did enjoy the act of shaping wood whether it was guitars or various projects. Jon would bring in examples of his work, and I was always blown away and wanted to become as good as he was.

During this semester I did more experimenting versus making complete projects.

​DEVELOPING  TECHNIQUES

Although we learned to carve placing our work on benches, I found it to be most comfortable for me to carve on my lap. I feel it gives me the advantages of being very close to my work, be able to quickly reposition the work, create angles that a more advantageous to carve at. Thankfully I have only ever had one slightly minor accident.

One of the other benefits of creating work without needing a workbench is the ability to work anywhere. I love the energy of being outdoors, the fresh air as well as the ability to see flaws that need to be worked on that may not be caught with indoor lighting. 

Woodcarving is a craft that occupies most of the senses at once. The obvious being sight, the smell of the wood as it's being paired away, Hearing the percussive chisel strikes from the mallet to slick almost paper tearing sounds of more delicate glides across the wood. The touch and feel as a piece progresses.

To celebrate my 10th anniversary in woodworking in 2011 I decided to treat myself to $1000 in new carving tools while most importantly choosing to have them lasered engraved with some quotes by some of my favorites including the wrestler Ric Flair and boxer Mike Tyson to give them extra magic.

I also began to paint the main gouges I use in various colors so that when I carve, I'm not searching and fumbling around. I know that pink is my small straight or lime green is my #5 fishtail etc.so everything flows. 

REFLECTIONS ON WOODCARVING

Woodcarving has created a special place for me to exist in. A place of joy, peace, deep thought,  spirituality. It will challenge me to the day I die to continue to get better.  My carvings are songs and expressions of where I am in life and where I dream to be. 

Woodcarving is an escape in that no matter how tough of a situation is in my life the second I start carving my focus is shifted away to the creative space where I can only concentrate on what I am working on.

My art represents my life story, hopes, thoughts, dreams and the pursuance of greatness in my craft and I'm thankful to have found woodcarving as the vehicle of my expression.