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2008 |
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Date |
Guest Speaker / Topic |
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April 6 |
Stan Neptune To many people, the grey birch is considered of little value, but the Penobscots in Maine have dug up its roots and made decorative clubs for centuries, although originally root clubs were used as weapons. Stan Neptune is a member of the Penobscot Nation and a carver of ceremonial root clubs, a traditional Wabanaki sign of authority carried by leaders in ceremony or council. Penobscot carvers collect the root burl of the grey birch tree and remove the bark. The roots are shaped into points and decorated with spiritual, human, and animal faces. By the middle of the 19th century, Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, and other Wabanaki carvers began selling clubs to tourists. Carvings in the burl changed from spirit faces to human ones and carvers added color. By the end of the 19th century, Stan observed, braids, facepaint, feathers and even the Plains Indian headdress were added to conform to tourists’ stereotypical view of American Indians. Stan is one of only a few carvers carrying on the tradition, which he is also teaching to his son Joe. He learned the craft from master Penobscot carver Senabeh Francis, who showed him how to “find his tree” and shape the birch. “Carving a completed war club averages about 40 to 60 hours,” says Stan. “Each club requires patience and time to reveal itself to the carver.” Stan has been part of the Southern New England Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program administered by the Institute for Community Research in Connecticut. as well as the Maine Arts Commission’s Apprenticeship Program. He has demonstrated his work at the Children’s Museum in Boston, and at other venues throughout the region. See Wabanaki Root Club carving article in the Bangor Metro website. |
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February 3 |
Mike McCarthy Once again we were fortunate to have Mike, from Mattapoisett, MA, share his expertise in carving shore birds. For his presentation, he took us through the steps in creating a shorebird from the initial stage of a blank to the finished product. He showed the bird in different poses. He disclosed his technique in preparing the wood, making the blank and carving it. His method of finishing with eyes, feet and colors was also disclosed in depth. |
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2007 |
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Date |
Guest Speaker / Topic |
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December 2 |
Grigory Likhter
Traditional Chisel and Gouge Carving Grigory Likhter was born in Moscow, Russia in 1962. At seven years of age, Grigory studied the art of painting in a local art school. When he was fourteen, he discovered his passion for wood, and ultimately became a carver. Before leaving Russia, Grigory was involved in a Moscow Intenational Group Exhibition. In 1979, Grigory left Russia as a political refugee, and, with his mother, settled in to N.Y.C. In 1980, Grigory got his first big commission in Claremont, New Hampshire, to renovate the Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church. After completing this job, Grigory came back to N.Y.C., where he later studied interior design in the Parson's School of Design. He graduated in 1985 as an interior designer. Grigory lives in Sunapee, NH. In the summer of 2006, Grigory rejoined the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen (was a member from 1980 - 1982). He also became a recipient of a grant award from the State of NH Department of Cultural Resources Division of the Arts. Most of the carving that he does is interior decoration (for churches, etc.) in the traditional chisel and gouge technique yet has done other things such as chip carving. |
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October 7 |
Jane Layton
Songbird Carving Jane is a professional artist whose bird carvings have won regional and world competition awards. A naturalist at heart, her knowledge of ornithology and extensive study of birds in their natural habitats, guide her eye and her hand. Each unique bird is carved in basswood, textured with a burning pen, and painted with acrylics. A perfectionist to the core, she has a remarkable ability to capture the essence of the living bird. Jane's birds are found in collections worldwide View Jane's Gallery: www.alcasoft.com/janelayton/index.html
Bird Carving Classes with Jane Layton |
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June 3 |
Pete Leclair
Caricature Carving http://www.cca-carvers.org/leclair.html Pete has written several books on the topic of caricatures. The humor and personality of caricatures has universal appeal among wood carvers. While they appear simple to the untrained eye, they demand the same skill and sense of proportion that realistic figures do. This is particularly true of carving heads. |
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April 1 |
Jim Sheehan
Celtic and Claddagh Designs Jim Sheehan is a member of the Mystic Carvers club and has been guest speaker at various organizations. Jim, a foremost expert on Celtic (pronounced Keltic) art, showed and talked about his work which included Celtic and Claddagh designs. |
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February 4 |
Mike McCarthy
Shorebird Carving Mike, from Mattapoisett, MA, has been featured carver at past shows for NEWC and the Maine Woodcarvers club. His expertise is in carving shore birds. For his presentation, he took us through the steps in creating a yellow-legs shorebird. |
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