What’s it like when you are carving?

[DiLeon]

I go down to my basement where I have partitioned off a medium sized room that I consider " MINE " . I listen to music on my tablet ( Irish Country Music, no advertising, no news, just 100% music ) and let the rest of the world take care of their own problems ,.... I'm down here to carve . On rare occasions I have taken a few minutes to sweep the floor, but that doesn't happen often . None of us know how long we've got left on this planet so for me, I intend to spend my time doing something I enjoy 100% for as long as I can...

When I work I am in a zone so deep I do not see or hear people coming near me, and when I come out of my work trace. It scared the living poop out me to see someone standing there that I am ready to fight ... this is bad because I have come close to almost knocking someone lights out. I made my work areas no people zones for this reason. I have been asked to work in public areas I refuse. The art classroom was not easy, my best work was when I could get into the zone of work, so studio work with others was not a good fit for me other than watching others, and then I took my best work home.

[Nebraska]

I

I have a horrible tendency to destroy ears, and eyes. Well, to be honest, I've yet to carve what I perceive as a "good" eye, with the exception of "cartoon" eyes. I've tried several times to use a "practice stick" and carve eye after eye, but it just doesn't seem to work for me. Seems I would rather produce a semi-acceptable completed carving over a collection of eyes of varying quality.

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This where I learned to do eyes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aHfhquZe5Y

[JBright11]

Thanks for the link Ed!

[tbox61]

I get lost for several hours when I am 'in my carving zone'...so much so that when I finally take a break, both of my elbows are extremely stiff!

[Rodster]

As I see it, there are two types of carvers. Most of the replies noted above have come from people I call 'expert carvers', or perhaps serious carvers might be more descriptive. At my club, I notice serious carvers are there to improve their carving, get and give advice, access information on shows, and interact with other serious cavers. At home, I suspect they lose themselves in their carving, much like those who have described their experiences above.

Then there are those, like myself: While we enjoy carving, we are happiest when part of a group, where woodcarving is a backdrop to relaxed, varied and interesting conversations. We seldom lose ourselves in solitary carving activities. Rather we seek out clubs where there is a good quantity (and quality) of social chit-chat (as well as carvings we admire). Of course, many carvers are both serious and social, but it doesn't do any harm to note the difference .

[DiLeon]

As I see it, there are two types of carvers. Most of the replies noted above have come from people I call 'expert carvers', or perhaps serious carvers might be more descriptive. At my club, I notice serious carvers are there to improve their carving, get and give advice, access information on shows, and interact with other serious cavers. At home, I suspect they lose themselves in their carving, much like those who have described their experiences above.

This is true depending on your goals and note we are all different people, with different backgrounds...., many carvers enjoy the fellowship of others. Many people enjoy doing as a hobby. I only do wood carving to do commission or serious learning or make a major improvement in my work...yea serious business that totally takes me away from the outside world. Art is considered a job, work, what I do best so better stay serious. Honestly, I can not say it is even fun at times. Today I only do it because it is what I do best. If I want to chit-chat I want eyeball-to-eyeball talk....smile. Like sitting on the beach in a group sharing life stories and BQ good foods, I think I want to see body language. I love deep conversations that go everywhere. But we have no carving clubs in this state...probably because we picnic so much....LOL I do trek up to the master wood crafters shop once a month or so....we sit in chairs in the shop and chat face to face...zero of us doing woodwork other than sharing ideas and asking opinions of what do you think about my work?, what would you do differently? But everyone is professional and sells their work.

[Claude]

I prefer quiet when I carve - not music, no conversations. I get so involved I don't hear someone come near me. My wife and other friends/family that may visit have instructions to flip the light switch off and on a few times until I notice. Often, this is because I have my sound-suppressing ear protection on, and I'm likely using power tools. Being startled while operating a power can be quite dangerous.

Claude

[C-wade7]

I’m usually sitting in my chair in the living room with the tv on in the background. I only usually carve after work in the evening.

[toycarver]

Right now, I have one carving that is a special order and I am having to figure out/ try some new things to get it to where it’s something I would feel good about presenting to the customer. I work on it when i feel up to focusing and figuring. So also, I am carving some quick Christmas ornaments to sell. Thats’s fun for awhile but can be repetitive and eventually less exciting. I am also working on some cute carvings for a friend. These are fun and my design. I am pleased because I think they are turning out pretty good and designing is not necessarily easy for me. I carve in a room that is the size of a bedroom. It’s my carving room. No music because my hearing is bad and music does not sound good anymore. I hear Christmas music in my head though. Strange but true. So anyway, the three projects going seems to work for me, depending what mood I’m in.

[Dark Lightning]

I prefer quiet when I carve - not music, no conversations. I get so involved I don't hear someone come near me. My wife and other friends/family that may visit have instructions to flip the light switch off and on a few times until I notice. Often, this is because I have my sound-suppressing ear protection on, and I'm likely using power tools. Being startled while operating a power can be quite dangerous.

Claude

It's taken awhile, but my wife has finally learned not to distract me when I'm using power equipment. In that case as well, flashing the lights could be catastrophic.

[Claude]

Only the one fluorescent light overhead flips on and off - I have other lights where I'm actually working.

[Glenn Jennings]

I like it quiet when I carve and tend like DiLeon and Claude The world just seems to go away when I carve and I end up totally engrossed in the work.

[JJF]

For my part, I like to have a musical background (classical or other) but I do not like to be disturbed. I'm in my bubble and I can stay there for a very long time.

[DiLeon]

For my part, I like to have a musical background (classical or other) but I do not like to be disturbed. I'm in my bubble and I can stay there for a very long time.

I do like classical music or other mellow music playing in the background. If I am doing repetitive work like sanding I may have an audiobook inside my own bubble.

[Arthur C.]

I play music (either soft SiriusXM, or classical, 1940s-50s popular, sometimes Willie Nelson, on CDs), but when I really get into my carving groove I'm barely aware of it. If my wife walks in behind me and says something, I almost jump out of my skin!

[rickm]

I sit outside on a summer day, with my dogs, they lie around like dogs do and keep a old man company and that brings peace. Summer breeze, a good day, idling chips of wood off. It doesnt matter if I carve well or not, if the eyes come off, so be it, I am at one with nature and my dogs. Nothing finer. Oh I forgot a cup of espresso and a pack of smokes help as well.