April 2nd and 3rd  2005, Heritage Arts Studio was proud to host nationally renowned Caricature Carver of America, Marv Kaisersatt. Marv hails from Faribault (suburb of Lake Woebegone), Minnesota. Since ice fishing season was over, he elected to enjoy some Pacific Northwest fun and sun, out here in North Plains, Oregon. At no time did he use the term “You-betcha!”.

Our class consisted of 11 students, of various experience levels, and everyone was quite happy with the results.  Marv utilized our classroom audio-visual system, which provided the students with close up views of Marv’s hands and project, on 4 large TV screens.

The project was a caricature bird watcher with binoculars, pith helmet, hiking boots with socks, short pants and button up shirt. The head was turned on 2 axis for maximum expression, which provided quite a grain challenge. Once again, Marv brought the sweetest light white northern basswood blanks and practice sticks.

Marv’s method of teaching combines group lecture and individual demonstration, with printed handout material. Two completed pieces were circulated around the room for reference, and individual demos for noses, ears, hands were provided using 1”x1” basswood sticks. The carving was accomplished primarily with the use of a knife, with occasional use of V-tool and a couple of gouges. Marv’s tool box consists of about 6 tools, enclosed in a handsome vintage cardboard box, reinforced with duct tape.