The Blackhawk Woodcarvers Monthly Business Meeting was called to order by Elaine Terrell. Old minutes and Treasurer's report were read and approved.

Old Business

Reported that the judges for the August 19, 2006 carving show will be Denny Neubauer from Des Moines, IA, and Greg Wirtz from Wisconsin Rapids, WI.

New business

Motion was passed to buy 10 miniature clocks for the "watch dog." carving. Tony DeVita will handle this purchasing project. Motion passed to charge $2.00 for the August carving show. Several members expressed the need to renew our carving class activities. Thus a committee was formed to develop classes; committee members are Dolores Cascio, Richard Anderson, and Tony DeVita. Hopefully by the April meeting a plan will be presented. Tod Wisner expressed an idea to contact the high school art departments regarding our carving club and seek any student interest in woodcarving. Tod volunteered to write letters to the high schools. Anyone interested in stone sculpturing classes in Colorado by Mickey Bowman, contact Gordon Moscinski.

John Susin presented his technique and philosophy of carving Santas and cowboys based on recent articles in Chit Chat Magazine.

John Wacker----Told us about his oldest son receiving John's carved and painted parrot and stating, "tell the group that puts up with you, I am really amazed."

Don Stansfield----Unbelievable!……..A painted Santa in an antique's fashion. The achievement can not be explained, it must be seen!

Marshall Field Jr.----Five miniature carvings …..A1 quality of completion from the previous meeting; 2-each swans, 1-each marriage, and 2 each music symbols. Each carving consisted of interwoven components making up an inspiring object of about 5-inches high, and finished with four coats of sealer.

Roger Benedict----His interpretation of "911" by a 14 X 40 inch relief carving that depicted an aftermath of war's destruction and desolation. Yet it is titled "Hope," because in the carving the sun was still shinning and the dead tree had live roots. The inspiration was from an old dead tree along Green Road in Sister Bay, WI.

I was reminded from John Susin's presentation that we can easily carve for the wrong reasons if we compete within oneself or with other carvers. He further stated that everyone must stay focus to have fun with carving. Naturally, we may have some of those competitive genes that are illuminated continuously by sports TV. I have for a long time wondered why there are competitions in art shows, and for that matter including annual carving shows across the country. When I think about connecting with my carving buddies, either socially or while carving, there is never a rush for one-up-man-ship that leads to the competitive juices. In fact throughout the carving club, members are networking with other members to assist each other in carving. This is what it is all about, thank goodness. But then what happens when show time comes along? In fact how about those carvers who travel the carving show circuit, and how about the same carvers' photo appearing in different carving shows which are presented in Chip Chat Magazine? This surely makes me believe there is more to just carving for fun; is it only about ribbons? What do you think?

On the positive side another viewpoint about competitions could be to determine how your carving compares to a known accomplished carver. Perhaps also a carver could learn from the judges' viewpoints of the reasons he or she is rated. But, make room to have fun for yourself and with your peers! What do you think?

Keep your tools sharp

Roger Benedict

April 18^th---Guest speaker Guy Fiorenza on his collection of Joe Tagart's circus wagon miniature carvings and with a video of a miniature circus big top.

May 16^th---Guest speaker Bob Matthews on his carved and painted birds with demos and discussion.

June 20^th----to be rescheduled and now open

July 18^th----to be rescheduled and now open

Guy Fiorenza will speak about his collection of miniature carved circus wagons and show a video of a working miniature circus. Guy is a Rockford native. As a young boy in the 1940's he was interested in the operation of a circus as they came to town to set-up near his Grandparents house. He watched and sometimes helped with the set-up from unloading the trains to raising the tents, and even to handing out handbills. Through his Dad in 1945 he met a Rockford man, who was carving exact scaled miniature circus wagons. This man was Joe Taggart, son of a very wealthy National Avenue family, who spent all his young and adult life carving miniature circus wagons. Eventually Joe Taggart constructed a scaled miniature circus (weighs 2000-pounds.) Guy Fiorenza was very lucky to be in the right place at the right time to obtain this collection from Joe Tagart's widow in 1960.

For his presentation on the April 18^th business meeting Guy will show a few of the miniature wagons, which are operational with actual working brakes, folding boards, and chutes. He will show a video of the miniature circus that has electric lights and motors operating many of the things seen under a three-ring circus tent.

This will be treat for us! Bring spouses, friends, anyone who may be interested in a circus.

John Susin showed us nearly 15 Santas and three other carvings as a cowboy, Indian, and clown. The Santas were painted to represent a unique image that made any one Santa very different from the others. Yes, he admits that his Santas' faces have the same nose, which is his niche. At one time he thought about carving realistic birds, but realized he wanted to develop his uniqueness with other objects rather than carve exact duplicates of birds. As he pursued his goal his carvings were of people having a combined appearance of caricature and realism. He did not want to create perfect human form as he did years ago while struggling with making perfect oil paintings. However through woodcarving he eliminated his "perfect thinking," and therefore allowed freethinking to achieve a human form between caricature and realism. For sure it was noticed during John's presentation that he carves for pure enjoyment and non-competitiveness. John does his own thing and not concerned with approval from other carvers. Good for him! Some of John's carving procedures are:

All basswood carvings

Uses long cuts to get a smooth appearance (instead of many short cuts)

Very minor sanding

Seals with Min Wax wood conditioner

Sometimes will use a coat of Geso

Brushes the carving to remove any residual sheen

Paints with acrylic paints from tubes

REGIONAL CARVING SHOWS

April 30….Oshkosh WI, Mid Wisconsin Chippers annual show and competition at Winnebago County Expo Center. Bob Gehr (920) 725-5391

May 20-21….Bloomington, IL, Corn Belt Carving Club annual Sculpture in Wood show and sale at Challenger Learning Center. Mike Hartzler (309) 662-4276

June 17-26….Davenport, IA, International Woodcarvers Competition seminars and show sponsored by Affiliated Wood Carvers. Larry Yudis (563) 359-9684 or Chester James

August 19….Rockford, IL, Blackhawk Woodcarvers 12^th annual show and competition at Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Gardens. Roger Benedict (815) 988-3314

September 10….Madison, WI, Capital Carvers of WI 18^th annual show at Olbrich Botanical Gardens.

October 14-15 Thorton, IL, South Suburban Chiselers host annual Wonders of Woodworking show in recreation center at 701 Highland Ave, Peggy Kelly (708) 877-5244

October 28-29….Wheaton, IL, North Suburban Carvers 27^th Artistry in Wood Exhibition and Competition at DuPage County Fairgrounds. Terri Pijut (847) 458-2919

Please forward any club or member information to the editor. Due the last week of every month.

The show date is Saturday, August 19, 2006. Make sure you pick up a wooden block or two to carve a Santa Christmas ornament and/or a Watchdog. These will be sold directly during the show. The wood is available at the Wednesday morning and Tuesday night carving sessions. See Tony DeVita for the clocks.

_____Abraham Lincoln

The Blackhawk Woodcarvers was founded in 1993 and has a goal of preserving and encouraging the art of woodcarving. Membership is open to anyone having any skill of carving, including those who have never carved and want to learn about carving.