Joe Old Timer

[Just Carving]

With Memorial Day coming up soon and thinking about the old days at the Squad, I carved this 4 1/2" tall fella from basswood ans painted him with acrylics.

Bob L

[uvawyo]

Nice work Bob!!

[scotia carver]

Hi Bob
Nice carving , like his pose
Bruce

[Tom-H]

Lookin Good! Great color.

[Claude]

Nice work. He looks proud to be in that uniform!
Claude

[Nomad]

Nice! Great color and I like that hat.

[frankj]

Excellent work, very nice.

[Just Carving]

Thanks everybody!

I have been re-evaluating my wood carving endeavors--trying to figure out my path. Everyone at some point has a niche--cowboys, caricatures, chip carving, etc. I've looked and done it all, and it finally occurred to me to carve what I know. So, I think I can come up with a few ideas from my 23 years of volunteering on the First aid squad. So, from time to time, I'll be carving something related to my days with the Squad. But the caveat will be my carvings will be from the days before EMS took the world by storm. First aid squads in New Jersey are volunteer and prior to the late 1970's were just that--people who learned first aid and then responded to emergencies.

Thanks again for your wonderful compliments. It is most encouraging to hear them!

Bob L

[DLarabee]

Thanks everybody!

I have been re-evaluating my wood carving endeavors--trying to figure out my path. Everyone at some point has a niche--cowboys, caricatures, chip carving, etc. I've looked and done it all, and it finally occurred to me to carve what I know. So, I think I can come up with a few ideas from my 23 years of volunteering on the First aid squad. So, from time to time, I'll be carving something related to my days with the Squad. But the caveat will be my carvings will be from the days before EMS took the world by storm. First aid squads in New Jersey are volunteer and prior to the late 1970's were just that--people who learned first aid and then responded to emergencies.

Thanks again for your wonderful compliments. It is most encouraging to hear them!

Bob L

Bob, this is a wonderful statement. "Carve what you know.".I believe that same goes for all forms of art: 'Write what you know', 'Paint what you know', etc. This is actually one of my biggest challenges with carving, because what is most popular among carvers and the majority of tutorials and videos do not match up with where my brain goes. Carving what others normally carve would be a task or lesson for me rather than something that would get my passions going.

I am so happy that this is something that you love and have a connection to. It is inspiring, and your work reflects your connection.

[Just Carving]

Thank you DLarabee. For a lone time, I have been carving my Whittlebears. You should see how many I've carved. I keep them in a box and give them away as I want. Sometimes there's a show, and I might sell a few. But the point is I carve what I want and how I want. You should too. If you see something that someone else has carved and you want to take a shot at it, go for it. Even if it is different and you tweak it the way you want it, do it. Carving what you know is one thing, but you need to be passionate about it too. I have studied all forms of carving, and many different styles. I have attempted to carve what others have done. If I do it the same or similar to what was done, okay. If not, okay. I challenged myself to carve it and I did. Time to move on--even if it is another bear.

BTW--the bears stem from my days on the Squad too. We would give out small teddy bears to those that have had a bad time. Today, I still do that. Except, mine are just a bit smaller.

Carve on and have fun!

Bob L