I think that I have possibly always been a wood carver; it just took me 37 years to complete my first project. Born in Branson, Mo. and raised between the Ozarks and rural mid-west, I lived an average childhood. In school, I had always enjoyed art class, and was constantly sketching and painting, with an occasional detour into sculpture and pottery. After graduating from high school, I retired my sketchbook and enlisted in the USAF. Upon completing my tour of duty, I entered into a career as a computer hardware design engineer. Occasionally I would pick up the sketchbook and doodle a bit, but most of my efforts, over the next 14 years, would be design, troubleshooting and mathematics. As the years rolled by, I found that I needed a creative outlet: something to add balance to my life and provide some relief from the analytical world.

One year, Barbara (my wife) gave me a beginning woodcarving tool set, a Rick Buutz "Wood Carving Projects for Beginners" book, and a large block of sugar pine. I thought I would save the sugar pine for a real project, and with no knowledge of tool sharpening or stropping, attempted my first project on a piece of kiln dried 2x4 Douglas fir, using dull tools. Of course, I was soon frustrated, and the carving tools, book and wood found themselves a home in the back of the bedroom closet. There they would reside, for the next 2 years, until Christmas time, and another self-improvement gift from my wife. This time, the gift consisted of a certificate for a woodcarving class, taught by Kelley Stadleman, founder of the Heritage Arts Studio (HAS), in North Plains, Oregon. Acting on a whim, my dull tools and I attended the class.

Upon first entering the HAS building, my senses were assailed by aromatherapy candles, dried flowers, frilly things, and bric-a-brac: not a good sign for a burly man with visions of hacking old growth logs into grizzly bears. Once I stepped into the classroom, however, everything changed. Everywhere I looked, I saw wooden rabbits and rocking horses, old sea captains, Uncle Sam's and characters from American folklore. And Santa's! Not only were there traditional Kris Kringles and St. Nicks, but multiple subspecies of the genus santii. There were old world Santa's and patriotic Santa's: they were tall, short, merry, somber, in sleighs, on rooftops, bearing gifts, carrying candles and trudging through the snow with walking sticks. Any wall that was not covered in carvings, contained shelves stocked with paints and stains, brushes and carving tools, stones, strops and compounds, as well as wood blanks and rough-outs in many sizes and shapes. This was Art! Works of art, art supplies, and people thinking artistic thoughts surrounded me! Nowhere to be seen were books on C++ or UNIX, schematics or printouts, printed circuit boards or cables. There were lots of chips, however (wood not silicon) scattered across the hardwood floor, and even though they do have a computer, they have the decency to keep it well hidden, in the back, behind the counter, under a Navajo blanket.

Kelley proved to not only be an accomplished wood carver, but an excellent teacher, as well. In only a few hours, she had introduced me to wood grain, stop cuts with knives, rounding with gouges and chisels, scoring and detailing with V tools, and stropping. Now, armed with a basswood block and freshly sharpened tools, the chips began to fly. There was something tactilely pleasing about the swish-swish-swish of sharp tools through good wood, and the pile of chips on the floor rapidly deepened. Not only that, but there was a kind of camaraderie that developed naturally, between the students in the class. We had all started as strangers, but by the end of that day, we all shared a common secret: we were hooked on wood, and on making/creating things with our hands. I walked away from that class, proudly displaying my very own Santa; slightly hunch-backed, yet merry looking, with separate boots to carve and attach later. I painted that Santa, and antiqued him using techniques learned in later HAS classes. He now lives in a box, in a closet, and is my ugliest and favorite woodcarving. He has proven to be the first of many, and my addiction with woodcarving has grown to the point where I spend an average of 4 hours a day "making chips."

The last 10 years has proven to be a continuing adventure, with lessons from quite a few carvers of local and national renown, trips to woodcarving shows, projects in sugar pine, basswood, walnut, butternut, Alaskan yellow cedar, cypress knees and cottonwood bark. I have acquired many toys and tools (most of which I actually use) including the back-bent reverse beveled fluteroni tool (which I never use and can't figure how to sharpen). I have also attended classes from some famous (and a few infamous) carvers; Jeff Phares, Phillipe Faraut, Marv Kaisersatt, Terry Kramer, and Dave Disselbrett, to name a few. I have also learned A LOT from all my Western Woodcarvers Association (WWA) club buddies, as well as the fun people at the woodcarving shows.

I carve relief and "in-the-round," caricatures and realistic. My subject matter ranges from dragons and wizards to animals, human faces, beggars and bag ladies, Santa's, characters from American folklore, fairy tales from the brothers Grimm and fables from Aesop.

I don't use grinders or wood-burning tools or chainsaws. I don't do anatomically correct fish and birds, nor am I drawn to the geometric perfection of chip carving. I seldom use sandpaper on my carvings, but rather prefer to see the facets left by hand tools. I avoid shiny, plastic looking finishes, and always try to leave no doubt that the piece is hand made from real wood.

Woodcarving has proven to be a rewarding, relaxing, gratifying addition to my life. I no longer refer to it as a "hobby" and I take great offense when I hear woodcarving referred to as "Arts-n-Crafts." Let there be no mistake, woodcarving is an art form, every bit as valid as sculpture in stone. I am proud to be a woodcarving instructor, currently teaching classes at Heritage Arts Studio, where it all started for me. The circle is complete.

Come out and see us: maybe it will change your life!