Dale Green Woodcarving

Chris Hammack Class

2012-01-11T08:46:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to host Chris Hammack here in my studio for a 2 day caricature carving class next month. Chris is a member of the Caricature Carvers of America and in addition to being a very talented carver and artist, there is never a dull moment in his class. He has a knack for creating carvings that make you laugh and you see can see more of his work on his web site. Chris has several rough-outs you can choose from for your class project:

The class will be held on February 13 and 14. Class size is limited and the registration deadline is January 25, 2012. If you're interested in attending class, please contact me by email at dale@dalegreenwoodcarving.com or phone 801-503-8754.

Carver's Christmas Party

2011-12-20T08:31:00.000-08:00

On Monday nights I have a carving group at my studio. Over the years we have all become good friends and last night enjoyed our annual Christmas party.

The workbench is transformed into a buffet table, and as usual, there is more food than we can possibly eat. Joann always brings her delicious home made rolls, we have desserts, chips, shrimp, veggies, and of course, Mike always brings the little smokies.

After a few trips to the buffet/workbench, we get busy carving. At this time of year, it's no surprise that everyone is busy putting the finishing touches on Christmas gifts and decorations.
Everyone brings a small gift to share with the group but the best gift of all is the friendship we share throughout the year.
Best wishes to all of you for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Santa Carving Class

2011-12-05T07:30:00.000-08:00

Friday and Saturday were fun days carving Christmas projects with friends in my studio. Although Josh didn't carve a Santa, he worked on a project for his Grandmother's special gift. Mike has already carved a Santa this season so he spent his class time working on my new design, a hunter.

If you've ever been in a carving class, you know it's not all about the carving. We shared stories and had a lot of laughs, compared ideas for projects, sharpening tips and tool talk.

I will be teaching again this coming Friday and Saturday, December 9th and 10th. Unfortunately, two students have had a change in their schedules so let me know if you would like to join us.

Santa Carving Class is Full

2011-11-02T08:20:00.000-07:00

Thank you for the great response to my Santa Carving Class next month.

Now is the time to get busy carving some special gifts for Christmas. Of course, everyone would love a Santa, but there are some easier projects you can get ready. How about some ornaments or bottle stoppers?

I have been busy finishing up one of my Old World Santas as a commissioned piece which will be a birthday gift for someone who collects Santas. I just have to paint it and then it can be delivered.

Santa Carving Class

2011-10-26T18:23:00.000-07:00

I will be teaching a 2-day Santa Carving Class in my studio to kick off the holiday season. This is a great way to get in the holiday spirit by carving with a fun group and you will have carved a Christmas gift when class is over.

Class will be held on Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Students may choose from any of my Santa rough-outs shown in the above photo.

Cost for the two days is $100 + rough-out with lunch and snacks included both days.

Class size is limited - to register contact me at either dale@dalegreenwoodcarving.com or phone 801-503-8754.

CCA Annual Meeting in Boise

2011-09-30T10:58:00.001-07:00

On Sept. 24-25 the Caricature Carvers of America (CCA) held their annual meeting in Boise, ID. Each year the event takes place in a different state and is open to all wood carvers. It was a unique opportunity to meet and visit with CCA members and participate in free mini-seminars. The above photo shows Steve Prescott instructing students on designing their own patterns.

At another table, Chris Hammack taught students how to lay-in a face and carve an eye.

On Friday night we attended a dinner where the CCA's new book, Caricatures in Motion, was rolled-out. Not only is this a fantastic book for any carver, CCA members were happy to autograph their pages. This book contains step-by-step instructions from Phil Bishop on creating his "Green Apple Quick Step" carving which is also on the book's cover. Patterns for band saw cutouts of each project are included along with painting instructions. Books are available from the CCA Website or Phil and Vicki Bishop.

All of the carvings featured in the book were on display. I really enjoyed being able to get up close to the carvings and talk to the creators. Next year's meeting is in Sacramento and I am looking forward to attending again.

A Visit with Friends

2011-09-30T10:55:00.000-07:00

What a great summer - Phil and Vickie Bishop visited us twice! This time, they stayed with me and my wife at our cabin for a few days of relaxation before continuing on to Boise for the annual Caricature Carvers of America meeting. As you can see, we enjoyed the last days of summer on the deck.

Vicki and I are braiding leather and Phil is carving one of my bottle-stoppers. I couldn't wait to see how Phil would carve this rough-out and I wasn't disappointed. It is a good reminder that you can always put your personal touch on any rough-out.

Carving Class at Treeline

2011-09-30T10:40:00.000-07:00

I recently taught a 1-day class at Treeline. Students selected their class projects from my bottle-stoppers, cowboy busts, and Christmas ornament rough-outs. It was great to spend a day with my carving friends.

Before you know it, Christmas will be here and now is a good time to get started on that gift list for special friends and family. These projects are easy to carve in a day and everyone loves to receive a hand-carved gift.

Soup's On!

2011-09-02T18:48:00.000-07:00

Several months ago I posted a photo of Gilda stirring her pot. Since then, I created an environment to reflect her kitchen where she concocts her brew over a fire. On the shelf is a book of spells along with jars of bat wings and hemlock, guarded by her trusty buzzard. There are eyes peering out from under the stump and Gilda's black cat is waiting patiently to see what emerges.

It was fun - and challenging - to create this environment, which took many hours each day for a month. I thought the rock walls would be easy but found they took many hours. When you finish your next caricature, develop a fun story around it and create an environment that completes the project. Your projects are more entertaining to look at and will rate higher in competition.

I recently submitted this project to the CCA Competition and was awarded fourth place in my division.

New Bottle Stoppers

2011-08-17T14:03:00.000-07:00

On my morning walks a group of Turkey Vultures, or buzzards as they are sometimes called, have been circling over me. Do I look like a tasty meal or am I just not moving fast enough? Either way, they seem to have their eyes on me and I have this image they are licking their lips - well, bird lips.

Buzz is one of my new bottle stoppers and looks just like those guys flying overhead.

Gramps is the soul-mate of Granny, a bottle stopper I carved in June. Bottle stoppers are a fun project that you can usually carve in just a day. They are designed to give you the option of attaching a cork for a bottle stopper or just leave a flat base for display on a shelf.

I will be teaching a one-day class at Treeline on September 16th. Students can choose their class project from my bottle-stopper/ornament rough-outs. To register, contact PJ at 1-800-598-2743.

1st Annual Carving in the Mountains

2011-07-31T12:40:00.000-07:00

I invited my weekly carving group, the "Monday Nighters" to enjoy a day in the mountains to carve with friends, enjoy the outdoors, and escape the valley heat. It was a great plan! Bring your tools, a carving project, some food, a chair, and as a special treat, Phil & Vicki Bishop would join us. All was going according to plan with comfortable temperature, clean mountain air, a beautiful blue sky, until.....

The clouds rolled in and it started to rain - and I mean RAIN! Thunder, lightning, and more rain, and then a flash flood came down the canyon.

You can see the mud and rocks washing under our cars and hail on the table. Temperatures dropped about 30 deg. in just minutes, but luckily we were under cover while we waited out the storm.

Phil and Vicki left Elk City, OK looking for cooler weather but I don't think this is what they had in mind.

Here in the Utah mountains, a storm can roll in quickly, and leave just as fast. When the clouds cleared we got our tools out and Phil demonstrated some techniques for Ken, Scott and Josh.

Mike, Kurt and I played it safe though and stayed under cover for the remainder of the day.

Here's proof that carvers are dedicated - even a flood couldn't dampen our spirits or keep us from having a great day with carving friends.

Class at Utah Valley Woodcarving Show

2011-07-10T09:59:00.000-07:00

I will be teaching a four hour class at the woodcarving show in Provo this Fall. We will hold the class on Saturday September the 24th from 10:00-3:00, we'll take a break for lunch around noon. The project we will carve is a small Santa. He stands about 5" tall and is 11/2" wide. We will be carving it from a solid block of bass wood. The cost for the class is $10.00, which will also cover the cost for materials. I will bring paints along for those who finish and have enough time to get them painted.
If you are interested in taking this fun little class, contact Susan Hendrix at shendrix3080@comcast.net to get registered. Class size will be limited.

Granny Bottle Stopper

2011-06-25T07:58:00.000-07:00

Granny has had a tough life and shows all of it on her poor, tired face. Luckily, she still gets some pleasure out of smoking her corn-cob pipe. Granny is 4" tall and is a quick project for a bottle stopper or to sit on the shelf. A rough-out is available on my website for $12 which includes a photo sheet with 4 views. Granny's pipe is not included but easy to carve from a scrap of basswood.

Night-Time Santa

2011-06-24T09:02:00.000-07:00

It's never to early to start carving a new Santa for your collection or a gift. My Night-Time Santa has loosened the buttons on his pants, donned his warm bunny slippers and is ready to relax. An 8" tall basswood rough-out of Santa is available on my website for $20. All of my rough-outs come with a color photo sheet with 4 sided views and a close-up of the face.

The only thing bitin' is the Skeeters

2011-06-23T07:24:00.000-07:00

It's been a cold, wet Spring here in Utah which means I've have had more time for carving. I worked up several projects in clay this past winter and finally took the time to get them carved and painted.

Have you ever gone fishing when the only bites are the ones you get from the mosquitoes? That's exactly what's going on here with "Skeeter". In his left hand he is holding his fishing pole but his right hand is reaching around to scratch the latest bite.

Skeeter is 10" tall and is available on my website. This is a premium basswood rough-out and comes with a photo sheet with 4 sided views plus a close-up of the face for $25. The fishing pole and base are not included. The pole is really easy to carve from a piece of scrap bass wood. Just draw the fishing pole on the wood and carve it out.The fishing pole is in two pieces inserted and glued into the hand.

It comes to us all

2011-05-08T12:51:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of old folks I just finished carving. They say the longer we live with someone the more we start looking like each other, and in this case it's true. Last month I took a two day class from Chris Hammack and chose this rough-out as my project. I carved the old man in class and just had to buy another rough-out so I could carve his partner. Both were carved from the same rough-out.

I get a chuckle each time I look at them, and they bring a smile to everyone that sees them. I enjoy working on my own designs, however I learn a lot carving someone else's rough-out. Chris has really caught the essence of these two old folks.

Luck o' the Irish

2011-04-14T08:11:00.000-07:00

A couple of my carving friends wanted to carve a Leprechaun and asked me to design a go-by. I used a 2x2x4" block to carve this little Irish guy. He could easily be made into a bottle stopper to display on your favorite bottle of Irish whiskey or Guinness.

These little heads are a great way to practice facial expressions and carving techniques. They make an easy gift or display in your shop and are an easy reference for future projects.

Class with Chris Hammack

2011-04-09T10:41:00.000-07:00

I've just spent 2 enjoyable days carving with CCA Member, Chris Hammack in a class at Treeline. I have always admired Chris' work and was excited to join a class to learn his carving techniques. Notice the cigar-box next to Chris in the photo - these are all of his tools - proving you don't need a lot of tools to be a great carver. Chris does about 95% of his carving with just a knife.

I worked on 2 projects, an old man and old woman which I hope to finish this week and get posted here.

Check out classes available in your area to see if Chris is teaching and don't miss the opportunity to sign up for the class. Not only is Chris a great carver, he is a great teacher too. He has a good sense of humor and will keep you laughing throughout class.

Gilda

2011-03-22T15:21:00.000-07:00

I just finished carving and painting "Gilda", my newest design, who is using her broom handle to stir a pot of evil brew. Gilda, the pot and broom are all carved from a one piece rough-out. Gilda is 12" tall even though she is a little stooped over. She will make a fun addition to anyone's Halloween collection.

Rough-outs will be available on my website http://www.dalegreenwoodcarving.com/ in about 10 days. As with all my rough-outs, Gilda will come with four sided views, a close up of her face and complete painting instructions.

I had a lot of fun working on this old gal from the initial sculpting in clay to carving and painting. You can create your own colors to create different looks. For example, I plan to use a brown mixture for the cloak and perhaps a little red/orange for the hair on the next one.

Dog Carving Class

2011-03-15T07:26:00.000-07:00

Last week I taught my new rough-out Ol' Buck, in my studio. Ol' Buck is a hillbilly dog with an expression that warns you not to touch his bone. Everyone did a good job on their carvings and we had the dogs washed and drying while we ate lunch on Saturday. We all began painting and everyone left class with a completed project. It's always a pleasure for me to carve with my friends. This was a great group and we enjoyed a lot of laughs while doing our favorite activity.

Carving dogs is a good exercise for all skill levels. There are lots of grain changes, teaching you to work with the grain of the wood. Setting in the dog's face requires proper structure, but isn't as complicated as a human face.

The Ol' Buck rough-out is available on my web site.

Facial Expressions Class

2011-02-25T08:39:00.000-08:00

Last week I taught a fun group of carvers how to create facial expressions in wood. We learned about basic facial proportions and how to do the layout on wood. We all took turns pulling funny faces at each other to demonstrate how the muscles of the face move in all kinds of different directions.
I first taught how to carve on the corner of a 1" x 1" block of bass wood, which is a great way to practice. I always have a block handy while I'm carving to try out an eye, nose or mouth before putting it on my project. This has saved me a lot in money and frustration over the years. But, it has also cut down on the kindling for the fireplace.
After carving on the corner, we spent the next day carving a small bust using all the information learned from the previous day. Each carver choose an expression they wanted to put on their bust and spent the day creating a fun little carving.
We all had a great time and the delicious lunches Kerry provided certainly helped everyone keep up their energy levels, even though in the afternoons we all wanted to take naps!!

Ol Buck's a good dog.......

2011-02-07T09:09:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like having a good dog, but don't try to steal that bone! He only has a few teeth but they are big ones. Ol Buck is a 7" tall mutt of junkyard and hillbilly breeding carved from basswood. Ol Buck will be the star in the collection of dogs I'm teaching next month in my studio. We will meet March 11 & 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for a fun 2 days with a class fee of $100 which includes lunch on both days. To register for class give me a call at 801-503-8754 or email.

Rough-outs for Ol Buck will be available on my web-site this week for $28.00. This is a great project for all skill levels as he doesn't have a lot of technical details.

A sturdy base

2011-01-21T10:28:00.000-08:00

Have you ever finished a carving only to have it fall over and smash the nose or break off the hat? I have, and it is enough to make a grown man cry. Since I hate shedding tears in my studio, most of my carvings now have a sturdy base.

I will be teaching a one-day class in my studio on Saturday, January 29th from 9:00 to 4:30 on making a base and creating an environment that enhances your carving. The class fee will be $50.00 and includes supplies and lunch. Bring a carving that needs a base and we will create a design especially for your carving. If you don't have a carving that needs a base come and learn some basic skills to create one for your next carving. To register just send an email to dale@dalegreenwoodcarving.com

Santa's Delivery

2011-01-20T08:37:00.000-08:00

I was reminded in my class last week that it's never too early to think about carving Christmas gifts. So, since it is just mid-January, I prefer to think that I am ahead of schedule for next Christmas, rather than behind with this new project.

Santa is 11.5" tall without the base and carries a pack of toys on his back. The pack is bulging and even has a teddy bear and gifts showing at the top.

I carved a base of snow covered rocks from a scrap piece of basswood that helps to stabilize the carving as it takes it place in your Santa collection.

A bass wood rough-out of Santa's Delivery is available now on my website.

What a Pleasant Surprise

2011-01-18T06:57:00.000-08:00

Carving Magazine featured my Santa Bottle Stopper in their holiday issue and asked if I had another project they could feature. My Old Timer cowboy seems to get a chuckle from folks so I put together some photos and instructions for the magazine editors, hoping they might be interested. Imagine my surprise when I saw him on the cover! Chris Willock, editor, said he had to force himself not to tell me before the magazine was released.

Carving Class

2011-01-17T08:13:00.000-08:00

Last week we had a 3-day class in my studio and rather than selecting the same project, each student chose a different rough-out to work on. Glen carved and began painting 4 small Santa's until my new "Santa's Delivery" rough-out arrived on the third day. We were excited to see the new rough-out and Glen set aside his 4 little guys and started on the new one.

Ross carved "Boot Strap", a pirate bust designed by Phil &Vicki Bishop. Mike and Glen have already carved Boot Strap and brought their finished carvings as inspiration.

Mike kept busy carving my Cocoa Santa rough-out. Mike's family loved the first one he carved so much they have all requested one for Christmas. Mike worked on 2 in class, finishing one and making good progress on the other.

It's never too soon to start carving on requests for next Christmas. In fact, my new Santa rough-out will be posted later this week and I'm sure you will want to add him to your collection.

We had a great time and my wife, Kerry, kept our energy level up with great lunches and home-made snacks.

I can't think of a more enjoyable winter day than spending carving time in the studio with my friends.

Choose your project.

2011-01-05T10:06:00.000-08:00

On January 13, 14 & 15th I will be teaching in my studio. I realize that not everyone wants to carve the same project so in this class you can select your project from any of my rough-outs or bring a project you need some help with.

The class size will be limited so everyone has plenty of elbow-room and individual instruction. The class fee for all three days is $150 plus the cost of a rough-out and includes lunch, snacks and drinks.

Visit my web site to see all my rough-outs. Email me at dale@dalegreenwoodcarving.com if you have any questions or would like to register.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T16:38:00.000-08:00

It's true what they say about Christmas being a time to spend with friends and family. My woodcarving friends seem a whole lot like family because we have been together for many Christmas seasons. Here we are at our carving Christmas party last week. This is something I look forward to each Holiday Season and I hope for many in the future. We always have a pot luck dinner and get right to carving.
Best wishes for a happy Holiday Season to all of you.
Dale

Ready or Not - Here Comes Santa Claus

2010-12-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I taught my Santa bottle-stopper and Santa ornaments to another full class. Several students are also regulars in my weekly group and Monday evening they brought their finished carvings to paint. As you can see by their smiling faces, we had a good time and all the Santas are ready for gifts or display.

Now that my classes are over for the year I plan to start carving my new Santa design and get rough-outs ready. I've been busy sculpting some new caricatures, including a witch and hunter that I hope to post soon.

Santa Class

2010-12-01T08:05:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again when we begin thinking about carving gifts for friends and family. I taught my Santa ornaments and bottle stopper at Treeline where I was joined by some of my longtime carving friends and rounded out the class with some new friends.

This one-day class was plenty of time for everyone to take home a fully carved project. Just a bit of painting time at home and the ornaments would be complete and ready for gift giving or hanging on the tree. Several of the students were new to carving and did a great job along with the veteran carvers. Taking a Santa class is always a good way to get you "in the mood" for the holidays.

Rough-outs for all of these projects are available on my Dale Green Woodcarving web site to help you get started with your gift giving.

Here comes Santa Claus

2010-11-08T07:56:00.000-08:00

In between cutting down trees and general yard clean-up, I've managed a bit of time in the studio. Santa is dressed in his heavy coat and hat with his backpack stuffed to overflowing with toys, ready for his Christmas Eve journey. He has been on my drawing board for a while and I finally finished the clay sculpture. Now, I just need to carve him in wood. Winter is scheduled to arrive here in Salt Lake City this afternoon so I can go to the studio and not feel guilty about the unfinished yard work. As usual, it will still be there next spring.

Time with good friends

2010-10-28T16:16:00.000-07:00

On our way to Texas, we stopped in Elk City, Ok. to visit our friends, Phil and Vicki Bishop. Phil and Vicki make you feel right at home. Of course, we enjoyed looking at all their carvings and talking carving. We had great meals, which I had to get the recipes for, and sat around the fire in the evening. We shared stories and lots of laughs, and the time went by too quickly.

We convinced them to come to Texas with us for a couple of days to continue our good time. Here we are having lunch on the River Walk in San Antonio after visiting the Alamo.
I have taken many classes from Phil and Vicki and each time learned something new. Phil and Vicki have stayed with us several time while they taught in Salt Lake. It didn't take long for the four of us to feel comfortable, find we had many common interests and become good friends.

Texas Woodcarving Guild Fall Extravaganza

2010-10-20T16:24:00.000-07:00

Last week I traveled to Kerrville, Texas to teach a three day class at the Texas Woodcarvers Guild Fall Extravaganza. This was my first time at this event and I was really taken with how well it was organized and the number of carvers participating in all the different class offered. There was something for everyone - canes, woodburning, sculpting, caricarture, bird, fish and flutes, to name just a few. All the classes were held in one large conference room, so you could walk around and see what everyone was working on.

Students in my class were able to choose their project from any of my rough-outs. Over the three days, we carved a variety of cowboys and santas. Alan worked on both the Blind Date and Old Timer, while Glenn carved the Trail Boss and Old Timer.

It's always fun to meet new carvers and discuss their interests. I found everyone very friendly and welcoming of the new guy in town.

At first, Dave was a little intimidated by the "Journey Home Santa", but he did a great job!

Ronnie finished a Santa Ornament and an Old World Santa in the three days.

John was rightfully proud of his Trail Boss cowboy.
The Texas Woodcarvers Guild is made up of members from all the carving clubs throughout Texas. I heard the membership was around 700 members. This event is held in the Fall and Spring of each year. If you get a chance to attend, you won't be disappointed.

Gone to the dogs..... Carving Best Friends

2010-10-07T18:56:00.000-07:00

I have a best friend named Mickey. He is an English Springer Spaniel that is always happy to see me, go for a walk, watch TV, sit by my feet while I carve, or take a nap. Mickey has great expressions and sometimes I think he would like to talk. Just like this dog wants to say "hands off my bone"!

I have carved a few dogs in the past and wanted to create a caricature dog figure for some time. I looked at lots of photos and carvings before getting my clay out to sculpt this model. I tried to add expression to the dog's face by lifting his ear, raising his eyebrows, and turning his head to give the impression that he is serious about protecting this bone without looking mean. I will get carving on him and post his final photo when he is finished.

Here's me and Mickey enjoying a day outdoors. He's a great dog and best friend.

My Hero

2010-10-04T07:46:00.000-07:00

Here is an inspirational story - and not just because it is about my son, Jarod. Two years ago, at the age of 33, Jarod decided he needed to make a change. He weighed over 300 pounds and knew that something had to be done or his health was in serious danger. Now, a lot of us decide to lose weight and exercise, but we quit soon after we start. In the face of an overwhelming challenge, he did it the right way. No fad diets, no gimmicks, no pills, just hard work. He learned about proper nutrition and followed a daily exercise plan. Six months ago Jarod entered the St. George Marathon hoping to finish in under 5 hours, another extreme goal considering he could only run a few miles at that time.

On Saturday, we watched with Jarod's friends Jenna, Chris, and Tim as runners collapsed and were carried, anxiously hoping he could finish in somewhat good condition. Finally, we saw him running towards us, about a 100 yards from the finish line. He saw us and smiled so we knew he was doing OK and finished the race in 4 hours 33 minutes and 10 seconds.

Jarod proves we can all reach our goals with focus and determination. He remains my hero!

Utah Valley Woodcarving Show

2010-09-30T08:41:00.000-07:00

Last week I participated in the Utah Valley Woodcarving Show in Provo, UT. as both a carver and vendor. I entered "Pedro" in the expert caricature division and was pleased to be awarded First Place and Best of Division. The "Best of Show" sign is a bit misleading, as this carving only won this honor in its division. The overall "Best of Show" was awarded to the dog you can see over Pedro's right shoulder.

Unfortunately, there was a lot of controversy over the judging and this dog receiving the award for "Best of Show". But, if you studied all the carvings, this dog deserved the award because it was a perfect carving. The carver had studied the anatomy of the subject, the symmetry was flawless, in short - it was perfect.

The Utah Valley Wood Carvers have a great club and each year their show attracts more entries in many divisions and styles. Mary Dame and Susan Hendricks were supported by many volunteers made up of club members and others to make this show a great success. If you are a carver, I would suggest supporting this organization and their show.

A Change of Season

2010-09-15T08:34:00.000-07:00

After a busy summer things seem to slow down a bit in the fall and I look forward to more time in the studio. I've got ideas for new Santa designs and caricatures, and probably more than can be accomplished in a winter.

For some time now, I've wanted to carve a large project from a log. Yesterday I visited a saw mill in Heber City, a small mountain town about 50 miles away from my home. What a rush to see a 30 foot pile of logs in all dimensions and lengths, just waiting to be made into something cool. I talked to the manager about prices and how much these logs weigh. It's easy to get it loaded with their huge log-lifting machine but another story here at home.

The Utah Valley Woodcarving Show and competition will be Fri. and Sat., September 24th & 25th. I will have a booth and hope that all of you attending the show will stop by for a chat. I'll have my new class schedule ready and rough-outs for sale.

Wall Art Update

2010-09-03T09:41:00.000-07:00

Carvin' Tom asked why I choose masonite rather than plywood. The answer is pretty simple, its all I had! I started this project at my cabin and the nearest lumber store is two hours away. I think plywood would have been better to use, it has a little more strength and would have been a little easier to cut. But, the masonite worked out ok with the spiral blade. The paint I used is "multicolored testured" in black. My wife is now asking when the other one will be started. Problem is......I started working on my horse.

Scroll Saw Wall Art

2010-08-30T08:32:00.000-07:00

For the past several months I've been looking at metal wall art for my cabin to fill two 10" tall x 59" long spaces above the windows. All the stock pieces were the wrong size and too expensive, and a custom piece would have cost even more. So, I decided to make my own using the scroll saw.

I started by searching on the internet and printed off several images of trees, deer, bears, rocks, mountains, etc., adjusting the size to fit my wall space. Next, I taped together sheets of paper and "cut and pasted" the images into a scene. After removing the excess paper I used spray adhesive to affix the pattern to 1/8" masonite.

I'm not a master at the scroll saw but dusted it off and started cutting using a spiral blade which allowed me to cut out the design without turning this large piece of masonite back and forth. When the cutting was done, I applied two coats of black textured paint which gave the project a metallic appearance. Although it took all day to cut out the design, the project cost under $12.00 compared to several hundred. Now, I just need to start drawing the scene for the second wall space. I watch horses run in a pasture near my cabin so the next design will probably include some horses and mountains.

This was a fun project and it looks great above the window. You can find an image to fit any decor on the internet. Just go to Google Images and type what you are looking for in the search box.

Carver's Hands

2010-08-08T12:07:00.000-07:00

After spending some time carving my hands are always really dry. The wood, carving glove, thumb guard, and wimp wrap all pull moisture from your hands as you are carving. My cuticles and fingertips become cracked and sore, making it uncomfortable to hold a project and tools.

My wife kept telling me to use Bee Balm, a product she makes from all-natural ingredients. I finally tried it and found that it not only adds moisture back into my hands, it heals all the cuts and scrapes I seem to get. Just a little bit rubbed into your hands does the trick. Now guys, don't let this photo with the flowers turn you off - it's for real men too.

You can buy a tin of Bee Balm at In Your Bonnet. Just in case you forgot an important date, anniversary, or birthday, just to name a few, there are other great gifts on the In Your Bonnet site too.

Article in Carving Magazine

2010-07-10T15:49:00.000-07:00

I just received confirmation from the editor of Carving Magazine that I will be featured in the September 2010 issue. The magazine staff contacted me earlier this year and requested that I submit an article. Luckily, I was designing my new Santa bottle-stopper and was able to take step-by-step photos of the process. The article will include a pattern for a bandsaw cutout but I will also have rough-outs available on my website soon.

I will be teaching this project in a one day class at Treeline, November 19, 2010.

Cowboy Bust Class

2010-06-26T17:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we met to carve my Cowboy Bust design at Treeline. This was a fun class and I was happy to see some old friends and meet several new carvers. I had carved 3 different go-by's for the class, Dupe, Tuff and Curly, to demonstrate how a rough-out may be carved into several different caricatures. All the students did very well and came close to finishing their projects in this one-day class.

I've just updated my web site and hope you will take a few minutes to check it out: http://www.dalegreenwoodcarving.com/

A little something different.....

2010-06-10T08:12:00.001-07:00

Sometimes my mind needs to refresh with a break from wood carving so I picked up this maple burl from Craft USA. Over a couple of days I took some time to grind out the bowl, careful to add depth and contour to the shape, using power grinders and sanders. Once the bowl was the shape I liked it took several more hours of sanding to smooth out the inside. Most burls are rounded which requires sanding the bottom so it will lay flat. I coated the inside with 3 coats of Waterlox finish, allowing it to dry completely and sanding with 000 sand paper between coats for a smooth finish.
If you're looking for something different, try making a bowl. The burls come in many shapes and sizes and are beautiful when finished. They are a unique piece for all styles of home decor.

Same Rough-out - Different Cowboy

2010-06-08T13:43:00.000-07:00

I've had several students ask me how to carve curly hair. This photo shows a fun alternative to the traditional straight hair we usually carve and looks good on caricatures of women too.
Curly, Tuff, and Dupe demonstrate the many variations you can carve from one rough-out. I will be teaching this cowboy bust in a one-day class on June 25th at Treeline. It will be fun to see how students come up with their own ideas for this rough-out.

Civil War Officer

2010-05-19T08:15:00.000-07:00

I've been sculpting this civil war soldier bust for a few weeks now. I have learned the hard way that it's best not to rush through a piece, whether sculpting or carving. If I do a bit of work and then step away, I notice details that I don't see close up. Little things like wrinkles on fabric, facial expressions, curve of a hat, project symmetry, etc. require studying your project from many angles. When I return to the project I almost always notice something I can change to make it better. Of course, there is the other end of the spectrum where you can worry a piece too much and never finish it.
I like to place my work on a wheeled sculpting stand. This makes it easy to step away from the project, move it into different light to create shadows, and turn it to see every angle.
Learning to work with clay has improved my carving design skills. Clay is a forgiving medium
where you can try out different ideas before committing to the wood. And, it's a lot of fun.

Bear class with Leah Goddard

2010-05-11T11:41:00.001-07:00

I had the opportunity to join a wonderful 5 day class at Treeline taught by Leah Goddard. Leah gave students the option of carving either a bear or a squirrel and of the 7 students, 6 of us chose the bear. We started Monday morning carving the rough-out and by Tuesday afternoon were ready to begin woodburning. The detail on this bear is the result of 18 hours of wood burning. I still have a burned spot on the end of my finger.........ouch! I registered for the class to learn Leah's techniques for texturing animal fur and I wasn't disappointed. We were kept busy on Friday painting many layers to achieve the realistic effect.

Leah is an outstanding instructor and lots of fun in class. The 5 days passed quickly and I am very pleased with my finished project.

The real joy of the week was spending time carving with my friends and sharing a lot of laughs. I think we all went away with a great project.

Wolves

2010-04-22T08:25:00.001-07:00

When I came up with the tag line "what trees want to be" I had an idea of images coming out of trees. It has taken many years to take the idea to form. This sculpture depicts a tree changing form into what it wants to be.....wolves. I started this project by studying many images to learn the anatomy, flow of the fur, and persona of wolves before actually working in clay. It was fun to learn all the different aspects of these fantastic creatures and their lives.

The challenge now is to put this into wood. I have been looking for just the right piece of wood to carve this from and with the help of my friends, Bob Daily and PJ Perry, I'm finally making some progress. Its going to take some time to carve this because wood isn't as forgiving as clay. One mistake and the whole thing can become fire wood!

Since the first of the year I have been taking sculpting classes from Jeff Wolf and I have found his instruction invaluable. Jeff's support gave me the confidence to take on a project of this scale. He is an outstanding instructor with tons of patience!!

Blind Date

2010-03-30T08:55:00.000-07:00

I finished "Blind Date" just in time for the local carving show. He's ready to charm his new girl with a box of chocolates and a somewhat droopy flower. Just in case, he has a bottle of whiskey in his back pocket! In addition to being a good-looking fellow, he is a tall drink of water standing just under 12" without the base.

I will have the Blind Date rough-out available soon (I hope) on my website, or you can contact me by email at dale@dalegreenwoodcarving.com if you would like to purchase one.

I will be teaching 3 day class, August 18-20th at Treeline. If you sign up for this class you can choose to carve the Blind Date or any of my other cowboys or Santas. I will have all the rough-outs available at the beginning of class. To register contact PJ at 800-598-2743 or email pj@treelineusa.com

My friends are always winners!

2010-03-30T08:29:00.000-07:00

front row left to right: Joanne Layne, Gary Taylor

back row left to right: Gayle Barkle, Ken Giles, Ross Connor, Dale Green

(absent but not forgotten: Mike Christensen, Glen Beere)

Once again, our Monday night carving group did really well at last week's carving show. Our group has a wide range of carving experience, ranging from beginners to expert level. Each one is dedicated to learning new skills as evidenced by the many awards - including mostly blue ribbons - they received at the show.

Regardless of the ribbons, they are all great people and I feel fortunate to have them as friends. Our weekly group isn't all about carving, we share many laughs, experiences, and always have a good time. These people are really "Winners" in my book and enrich my life on many levels.

Thanks again to my sister-in-law, Paula, for finding time in her impossible schedule to make a delicious cake to celebrate this special time. In the spirit of true friendship, we ate Mike's and Glen's cake since they couldn't join us.

Candy's dandy but Liquor's quicker

2010-03-13T09:04:00.000-08:00

I'm almost finished with my new cowboy design named "Blind Date". After spending a couple of months on the range, he's all duded up and ready for a night on the town with his cousin's sister.

He has a heart-shaped box of candy, a single flower and if that doesn't work, a bottle of Jim Beam in his back pocket. He's dressed in a borrowed necktie, the biggest and cleanest hat he owns, and got ready so fast one pant leg is tucked inside his boot. What cowgirl wouldn't be impressed with this fine looking guy?

Luckily it's going to be raining today, so I can't get to that yard work I had planned......darn! Instead, I'll spend some time painting and antiquing this dude. Once I get him painted I'll post the completed project.

A not much carving weekend-

2010-02-28T15:15:00.001-08:00

Instead of spending time in the shop carving today I find myself in Riverton at my brother-in-law's home. We have kept our bees together for the past few years but I have noticed that there are very few bees in my garden so I decided to move 2 hives to my back yard. I'm the one with the red shirt and crooked veil (I wouldn't make a good bride). We strapped them tight and sealed the entrance so no worker would bee left behind.

Here are the hives in our backyard. Since it is a cool, overcast day here, not many bees have ventured out to see what all the bumping was about. I wonder what they will think when they leave the hive for the first time and all the surroundings are different. Maybe bees don't think that deep!

New Cowboy Bust

2010-02-24T13:10:00.001-08:00

I just finished carving these two cowboys from my new rough-out. I always like to make a few changes as I'm carving and can figure out ways to get a variety of characters from the same rough-out. I will be teaching a class from this rough-out at Treeline on Friday, June 25th.
I'm anxiously awaiting the UPS truck this week to bring my shipment of a full, in-the-round cowboy that I designed. I'm calling him "Blind Date" and when you see him you will understand why. As soon as he is finished I will post a photo here and teach a 3 day class at Treeline August 18-20.
Unfortunately, even though I have quite a bit of time in my shop, my hands can't carve as fast as my mind comes up with new projects. I've been taking a lot of Advil this week so I can put in long hours of carving to meet my self-imposed deadlines. To be honest, one reason I'm behind schedule is I've been caught up in a series of great books. William Kent Krueger has written a series of 9 books and so far I've read 7 of them. If you enjoy reading start with Iron Lake.

Working in Clay - Chapter 2

2010-02-03T09:47:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since posting here but I have a good excuse. I've been busy learning how to sculpt with clay, taking two classes each week since the first of the year. The classes have been a lot of fun and very educational. It seems like I always meet the best people in classes who are willing to share their knowledge and ideas. January usually feels like a long month that is a challenge to get through. Even though we had a lot of dreary days I was too busy to notice as I kept busy with the classes and practice time in my shop.

I have found that working with clay is very different from wood carving. With wood, you are taking away material, and with clay you are adding. This teaches you to look at a project from a different perspective and presents some interesting challenges.

I have always wanted to learn how to sculpt with clay to help me design my woodcarving projects. This realistic looking cowboy sculpture will soon turn into a caricature carving that I will teach at Treeline in August. I'm so excited about this new skill that just this morning I designed a cowboy bust that I will teach at Treeline in June.

A little something different....

2010-01-12T08:55:00.000-08:00

I was really lucky this Christmas. I received a gift certificate for classes from world-renowned sculptor, Jeff Wolf, at the Hone Studio in Benjamin, UT. I've experimented with clay over the years, finding it to be very frustrating as I didn't have the basic skills to be successful. Jeff is a great instructor, showing a lot of patience with beginners. All students start out sculpting a horse head, learning the basics of skeletal and muscle structure. Once you finish your horse head you work on a project of your choosing with Jeff's assistance.

As you know, in wood carving you are "taking away" and with clay you are "adding". This requires looking at the project differently. It is my hope that learning how to use this new medium will enable me to design more wood carving projects. Below is a photo of my "horse in progess" after about 9 hours of sculpting. I will post a photo of the completed project.

Annual Christmas Party

2009-12-22T07:48:00.001-08:00

Every Holiday Season I look forward to our annual Christmas party and each year it just seems to get better. This year was no exception. Everyone brought something for the pot-luck dinner and there were lots of tasty things to eat. Spending time with friends carving, laughing and eating is always a good thing.

Seated aroung the table from left to right are: Gayle Barkle, Joanne Layne, Ken(the trouble maker) Giles, Gary Taylor, Ross Connor and Glen Beere. Its a great group of folks and we all have a lot of fun each week.

Santa Goose

2009-12-12T08:04:00.001-08:00

This time of year carvers are busy carving Santas for themselves or as gifts. I've heard more than one carver say " I'm tired of carving Santas". Well, you may want to try carving a little Santa Goose for a change of pace. This little guy stands about eight inches tall and is about three inches wide - perfect for placing on the mantle or under the tree.

Our Monday night carving group started this project a couple of weeks ago and all the geese are turning out great. Carving from a bandsaw cut-out may be a bit challenging for the beginner but just remember to carve evenly off the centerline and keep it round!

This pattern comes from Tom Wolfe's "Santimals" book. In the book there are detailed photos for carving a raccoon from a bandsaw cutout and you just follow the same basics for the goose. You can find this book on Amazon.com or other internet sites. The goose is just one of seven animals you can carve with a Christmas theme. Give it a try, you'll really enjoy it.

Stocking Stuffers for Carvers

2009-12-03T07:46:00.000-08:00

Has anyone asked you for your Christmas wish list? Here are a few inexpensive gift ideas for you or your carving friends.

You have probably seen this Wimp Wrap at carving supply stores. Did you know that you can buy a 3" wide roll in the horse department at farm stores for a fraction of the cost? I buy mine at IFA Country Stores for about $2.00 a roll, take it home and cut it into 1" sections on my band saw. Be careful when cutting as the blade tends to "grab" it. You can use a serrated blade - I use the bread knife if nobody is looking.

I often get worn spots in my carving glove, but the rest of the glove is just fine. A few drops of Fray Check on the worn spot or hole, will keep it from unraveling and add more life to your carving glove. This way you can buy tools, not gloves. I bought mine at Joann's fabric store in the notions aisle.

These are plant "frogs" which are used in the bottom of a vase to arrange flowers. They are about 2" in diameter with metal spikes. I use mine to hold my carving off the table surface while my paint and antiquing are drying. They prevent the project from moving around and paint accumulating in a ridge at the bottom, and provide even air flow to dry. I bought mine at Michael's in the floral department.

Something Really Different

2009-11-27T08:32:00.000-08:00

Last Friday I had the opportunity to learn power carving with Craig Hone at Treeline. Now, I have done a little power carving over the years, using mostly my Foredom and Optima. The Foredom I used for rough-in and the Optima for finer details as it turns at about 40,000 RPM's. The tool I used in class turns at 400,000 RPM's, just a little faster! This is an air-driven tool which requires a compressor to operate. It is remarkable the ease at which you can carve with this tool. You hardly know the tool is on until you touch it to the wood, then its true ability reveals itself. I was amazed at how the bit floats over the wood and leaves behind the most intricate details.
I can't wait to use this tool more extensively on other projects. The realism it will bring to carving fur on animals will really be something. The tool is a little pricey but I think well worth the investment for the serious carver in all of us. If you have any questions, contact PJ at Treeline, he'll have all the answers for you.

Teaching at Treeline

2009-11-17T07:37:00.000-08:00

Last Friday I taught my new Santa ornament at Treeline. We had all carved together for years making it a fun day with friends. They are all excellent carvers and did a great job on the ornament. I want to thank PJ for all his hard work in pulling together this class and arranging lunch for everyone. He makes it a pleasure to teach at Treeline.

Wood Carvers Tool Tote

2009-11-12T15:59:00.000-08:00

My last entry included a photo of my "tool tote" and lazy daisy (Susan said I can't call it a Lazy Susan anymore). Since then I've received quite a few emails asking where I bought the tote, just like my wife said I would. You can buy one from Bob Clarke on-line at http://woodcarverstooltote.com/

I will be teaching my Santa ornaments at Treeline tomorrow and look forward to spending the day with my carving friends.

Chip Tip for Tools

2009-11-09T08:25:00.000-08:00

For the last couple of years, I've been using this handy little tool caddy. It's small but will carry 32 gouges plus room for several knives. I have also attached my Dockyard Micro Tools to the end, with velcro and there is a small drawer for pencils and such. It keeps the tools organized and protects the edges from bumping into each other, and is convenient both for home and travel.
The thing I don't like is constantly lifting and turning the tool caddy to get to the tools on the other side. I solved this problem with a simple "lazy Susan". It is sturdy enough to hold the weight of the tool caddy and it really turns smoothly. I bought the lazy susan for about $6.00 at IKEA but you can find them everywhere. There are some plastic ones I've seen at K-Mart, but I don't know that they would hold up as well - and of course, being a carver I prefer WOOD.
You might notice that all my tools have a green band around them. I marked them with green metal paint so I can keep track of them in classes. I suggest you find a method to mark all your tools so they don't get lost or walk away.....by accident!!

New Santa Ornament

2009-10-29T08:12:00.001-07:00

I spent some time in the shop this week and created an addition to my Santa ornament collection. This new carving is about 4 1/2" tall. These can be used to hang on the tree or sit on a shelf or mantle. The ornaments don't take long to carve and are a special gift for friends and family.

I have rough-outs available for all the ornaments for $11 each. This new rough-out is not available yet on my website but if you would like one just contact me at dale@dalegreenwoodcarving.com

On November 13th I will be teaching a class at Treeline, www.treelineusa/classes where you can carve any of the ornaments, and all the rough-outs will be available.

The photo below is of last year's ornaments which are available for purchase on my website http://www.dalegreenwoodcarving.com/roughouts.html or you can email me to purchase.

Chip Tip for Tool Care

2009-10-27T07:44:00.000-07:00

The yard work is done, fire wood is cut and the honey is harvested. It's time to get back in the shop for some serious carving. I'm looking out the window at an early season snow storm. Time to take a cup of coffee and head for the shop to work on my new Santa ornament.
I get a lot of requests to help sharpen tools and have noticed some common tool problems. I find most knives and gouges have pitted edges. After watching other carvers, I notice they are not careful about how they transport and protect their tools while carving. While transporting your tools, cover the tips with plastic tubing or tape the edges, or carry in a box that keeps them separated. When carving, keep a soft surface for your tools to rest on. These steps will reduce chipping on the tool edge.
Whenever I'm carving, I use either a piece of leather or carpet to cushion the tools on my carving table. I found some commercial grade carpet squares that work really well and last forever. The carpet has a rubber backing which keeps it from sliding on your table and it has a really low nap which makes it easy to clean. You don't always get the choice of color - unfortunately, mine is purple.

Jonah's Angel Bear

2009-10-19T06:51:00.001-07:00

Carvings can be a gift from the heart. Joanne Layne began carving a couple of years ago and is a member on my weekly carving group. Joanne's nephew and his wife had a premature child with medical complications and were spending countless days in the hospital at the baby's bedside.

Joanne wanted to do something special for the family and carved this wonderful angel bear standing in the clouds. It was obivious how much Joanne cared for her family as she worked to get the details just right.

The detail and overall carving is a work of art proven by the first place ribbon and best of division ribbon she won at the carving show in Utah Valley last month. Joanne is not only a good carver but a good friend with a big heart.

Utah Valley Woodcarving Show

2009-09-27T14:16:00.000-07:00

Last week the Utah Valley Woodcarvers Club held their annual show and competition. I was happy to be both an exhibitor and vendor. I entered my "Trail Boss" in the open category and was awarded both a first place and best of division ribbon. I was very honored, because there were many well carved projects in that category.

I participated as a vendor for the first time during the show. I sold a variety of rough-outs and spent two days talkin' carving with a lot of wonderful folks. I answered a lot of questions about carving and different techniques. The most frequently asked question was, "how long did it take to carve this?" Some folks just don't understand the joy is in the process and not just the finished project.

With the rapid approach of cooler weather, I find myself spending much more time in the shop, thinking about winter projects. I have a lot of ideas, I just hope they find their way to wood!! I plan to be much better at post ideas and projects on the blog site, so I hope you continue to check back often.

If I can help you with any of your carving questions, email me at dale@dalegreenwoodcarving.com

Carving Class at Treeline

2009-08-17T08:49:00.000-07:00

Last week I taught a three day class at Treeline in Provo, Utah. We carved a variety of cowboys from the same body rough-out. I created this rough-out to provide many options for carving as you can see in the photos. The heads are carved separately from a bandsaw cut-out again giving the carver many choices to choose from. Each head changes the overall character of the project.

The heads and rough-outs will soon be available for sale on the store page of my website, http://www.dalegreenwoodcarving.com/

There were eight students in class and everyone finished their cowboy. It was fun to carve with old friends and meet new carvers. I always enjoy teaching at Treeline and a special thanks to PJ for setting up the class and arranging for lunches. It's a great way to spend three days!

2009-07-13T14:40:00.000-07:00

Its been a busy summer with not much time to blog. I have been carving, finished this face stick and some cowboys. The face stick I bought from Phil and Vicki Bishop some years ago and just got around to carving it. Like most carvers I have lots of rough-outs in storage! Carving this face stick help me practice the facial structure for each expression. I recommend you give it a try.

2009-06-19T07:55:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone. Last week I spent three days carving with Desiree Hajny in Story, Wyoming. It's a little town located between Sheridan and Buffalo, up in the mountains. It is a beautiful spot with pines surrounding the entire town. The weather was not so great, it rained and even snowed all three days. The last day we all wore sweatshirts in class and had portable heaters because the building was a Tuff Shed sort of building.

I must say the class was challenging. Having carved only a few realistic animals and doing a project on this scale really pushed me to learn new techniques for carving. The class was structured so you could carve with power or use your hand tools. The class was just about split between power and tool carvers.

Desiree teaches very differently from traditional carving instructors. She spent a good deal of time on anatomy, showing the different muscle groups and how they function together to create the shape of the animal. She doesn't carve on your project, she only carries a pencil and draws on your project. This certainly slows down the carving, because you have to figure out for yourself just how to carve the various parts of the animal. It is apparent from Desiree's teaching style that she was an art teacher in a previous life. She spents a lot of time at the white board drawing and doing art instruction.

Overall, I would say if you really want to learn to carve realistic animals, Desiree is a great person to learn from. She is fun and very high energy. She was named woodcarver on the year by Woodcarving Illustrated and I can certainly understand why.

Drawing for Carvers

2009-05-13T07:18:00.000-07:00

I've been busy doing yard work, planting new grass, flowers and putting down a layer of mulch. This has left very little time or energy for carving or blogging. The spring projects are done and the sprinklers even worked!!

My limited drawing skills have always made it difficult for me to design my own projects. My design process involves a lot of "cut and paste", advanced photocopier skills and anger management. Taking all this into account led to my decision to take drawing classes. I'm just starting but have discovered the mental road blocks that prevent us all from thinking we can draw. For most of us this attitude goes way back to elementary school days, when we stopped drawing for fun or was told we had no artistic abilities.

We have all learned to carve and we can all learn to draw. Improving our drawing skills helps us see more clearly the detail essentials for all our carvings. For example, lines, angles and shadows in drawing are important elements in carving that are often overlooked.

With any new skill, I'm finding this to be a challenge, but having a lot of fun with it. Like carving, it takes practice and our ablity to laugh at ourselves a little!!!!

Phil and Vicki Bishop teach again in Salt Lake City

2009-04-19T09:48:00.000-07:00

Last week we enjoyed three days of carving with Phil and Vicki. As usual, it was an outstanding class and everyone had a great time. All fifteen students carved and painted a project they selected from over 40 rough-outs, and many started carving a second project. Having lunches delivered each day gave us more time for carving, which everyone appreciated. We changed location this year to the Pioneer Hall in West Jordan. This is a great place to have classes, with its good lighting, kitchen and central location.

Wednesday Night Group Sweeps the Show

2009-04-02T09:14:00.000-07:00

Every Wednesday night I have a carving group that meets in my shop for three hours. Pictured above are: (back row, left to right) Mike Christensen, Dale Green, Glen Beere, (front row, left to right) Gayle Barkle, Joanne Layne, Ken Giles. Their experience level varies from one to fifteen years of carving. This group captured eleven first place, two second place and four best of division awards in last week's Salt Lake Woodcarving Show.

I started this group as a means for students in my previous classes to bring projects they needed help to finish. What was meant to be a couple of nights turned into a weekly class that has been running about six years. I look forward to this group each week and have formed close and lasting friendships. Carving with this group has made me a much better carver and we share a lot of ideas and tips.

I have been fortunate to meet many great people through our shared hobby of carving. I have found that carvers are the best people.

Special thanks to my sister-in-law, Paula Gonzales, for making this great cake to celebrate our success at the show.

New Cowboy Rough-Out

2009-03-26T13:06:00.001-07:00

I just finished this cowboy and created a scene with his saddle and saddlebag on a fence with a sign that reads "Reserved for Trail Boss". This morning I entered the project in the Salt Lake Woodcarvers' Show being held this weekend at Wheeler Farm.

I designed this cowboy with the head and body as separate pieces. This allows the carver to create multiple characters from the same rough-out, as you can see from the photos below. There are many options such as: chaps, no chaps, straight pant legs, cuffed pant legs, pants in or out of boots, a vest, neckerchief, etc. Here are three of the heads I've carved but the possibilities are limitless.

I'm selling the body rough-out for $20.00 and the head cut-outs for $5.00 each. I will have these on my web site within the next couple of weeks. If you want to buy one sooner, contact me at dale@dalegreenwoodcarving.com and we will work out the details.

I will be teaching this cowboy August 13th-15th at Treeline in Provo, Utah. Call PJ at 800-598-2743 to register.

Marc Gargac class

2009-03-19T11:09:00.000-07:00

I spent three days last week carving in a class with Marc Gargac at Treeline. We learned to carve Marc's bust of a mountain man, which was a great project. There were ten students in the class and everyone finished the carving in three days. They all turned out really great.

I've been carving for many years and find that I always learn something new from each class I take. Marc showed us a new way of woodburning the eyes in rather than painting. I was excited to learn this method because of the realism it adds to the eye. He also shared his painting and antiquing techniques that I'm looking forward to using on my carving.

This photo is of Marc's carving we used as the go-by in class. I love Marc's style of carving and all his projects. You really have to be ok with sanding, because you do a lot of it in class!

New Cowboy Design

2009-03-11T12:34:00.000-07:00

I have busy in the shop creating a new cowboy caricature. This new design enables the carver to create many different variations with one rough-out. The head is carved separately from the body. I have carved six different heads and each one changes the personality of the finished cowboy. I hope to have them painted and photos posted here next week. I will have rough-outs and heads available for purchase on my website within a few weeks. In August I will be teaching this project in a three day class at Treeline.

Tomorrow I'm attending a Marc Gargac class. I took Marc's class last year and I'm looking forward to another great project.

Carving with friends

2009-02-17T17:42:00.000-08:00

I spent the day with my carving friends, Glen Beere and Bob Dailey, at Bob's home for a day of carving. During our lunch break we visited Hone's Studio in Benjamin, UT. I had heard many great things about Hone's and wasn't disappointed. Keith Hone was very hospitable, especially since we didn't have an appointment. He showed us a few of his current projects including an owl, deer head, and many clay models of other projects. Check out their class schedule at http://www.profitablehobbies.com/Training_Class.html

Phil and Vicki Bishop woodcarving class

2009-01-08T16:25:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to announce that Phil and Vicki Bishop will be returning to Salt Lake to teach a three day carving class. We have confirmed the dates of April 9th-11th 2009, which is Thursday-Saturday. You can choose your project from their collection of 40 rough outs. Most students choose one for the class and buy several to carve later.

This is always a fun class and students are always pleased with the teaching and projects they complete. If you are interested in taking this class please contact me at: dale@dalegreenwoodcarving.com for more details or visit my website at: http://www.dalegreenwoodcarving.com/

Frogs that don't croak

2008-12-23T12:03:00.000-08:00

Here's a little tip to help out with painting your projects. Most craft stores sell pin frogs used for flower arranging. Place your carving on the pins to support it while you paint to allow for air flow and quicker drying. You can attach the frog to a lazy susan with double-backed tape so you can turn the carving 360 deg. while painting. After applying my antiquing mix I place the project on the frog to dry which allows it to dry evenly - no rim on the bottom.

Carve this Santa as a hanging ornament or shelf display

2008-12-08T12:47:00.000-08:00

This photo shows four ideas for carving Santa from the same rough-out. Just carve different facial expressions, change the whiskers and decide whether or not he has a hat, change the beard, and add a cap. The rough-out can be carved for display on a shelf or mantle or add a hook to hang as an ornament. This is a fun project and can be completed quickly.
I taught this project in a one-day class at Treeline last month. Everyone finished the carving and many painted their Santa in class. I have a limited number of rough-outs available for $10.00 each. Call me at 801-503-8754 to purchase. It’s not too late to give a hand carved gift this Christmas.