[Woodcarver] Question 1, Question 2, Question 3

[Victor Hamburger]

stephenhatfield at bellsouth.net wrote:
> 
> 1. Who taught you to carve, if you were taught by someone else?
> 
> 2. How many of you are "self taught" (which could include using books,etc.)?
> 
> 3. How many of you started carving "late in life" (use your own discretion)?

Hi,

Started when I was 10, asked for, and got, and still have, a set of good Millers
Falls palm chisels.  Played with them off and on into college.  Tried a bit of
chip carving then, along with some other carving, and asked a set of a dozen
Buck Bros carving chisels when I graduated.  Started expanding my range of
tools, both large and small, and took a few classes, although in the late 60's
thru the early 90's, there weren't many classes or books to be had! Not that I
could find anyway.  Mostly self taught, with a few classes.

Finally got into a class with a guy in the next town who had a nice line of
miniature birds, ducks and game birds.  He introduced me to detailed bird
carving and painting just before I moved out of the area in '76.  I did a few
more birds, and added other carving to my skills, then found a class with Al
Verdini here in the Worcester area.  Al was active in the New England carvers
and Pete LeClair credits Al with starting him on caricature carving at a mall
show about 15 years ago.  If you know Pete's work, you know where THAT startup
went! Pete is a great guy and a joy to carve with, as is Al.  I still drive Al
to NEWC meetings when he can go, and he has been a real inspiration to me. For
those who have seen my pair of smooth doves that I carve, it is a pattern from
Al.  

10 probably wasn't late in life to start, as I am almost 59 now, and I certainly
haven't kept at it steadily or carve enough to get as good as many, but it is
fun, and I think that is what it is all about.

	Vic H