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Blackhawk Chipper
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| March 2005 | Editor: Roger J. Benedict |
| Volume Number 12 | Phone (815) 397-8910 |
| Issue Number 3 |
There are two evening meetings per month, which are held at the Ken-Rock Community Center at 3218-11th Street, Rockford, IL.
The first meeting is on the first Tuesday and is an open carving meeting from 6:30 to 9:00 PM. Join the gang and bring your friends
The second meeting is on the third Tuesday, March 15th and is the business meeting, starting at 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM.
Every Wednesday is open carving from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Come and join the gang, bring a friend! Enjoy a taco.
All our meetings are aimed at enjoying one another passion for woodcarving. Always there is a lot of carving information traded back and forth, and of course the life interest stories, "three for a dollar" are worth the gas mileage and time.
The Monthly Business Meeting was called to order by President, Elaine Terrell.
Dave Hoffman was welcomed back from a prolong illness.
Treasurers report:
Dolores Cascio reported a check book balance. Paid-up members to date are 35, and about 26 more to report in of which 6 are 6-month members.
Old business:
Elaine Terrell reported that she is waiting for liability insurance response from two insurance companies. One company is in Pecatonia and the other is in Rockford.
It was requested to up date the web-site with the latest show information. There was full
agreement to post the monthly newsletter on the site. Gordon Moscinski is handling these changes.New business:
Two show fliers were passed around; North-Suburban Artistry in Wood, and Osceola Wood Carvers Round Up.
Gale Terrell---Two each painted ice cycles with a double thread.
Dave Hoffman---showed a knife, finished carving, and a wood block that a friend gave him to get him carving again. However he could not carve as usual; we all wished him the best. Then showed a carving that he won at one of our carving shows, which was from Elaine Terrell.
Marshall Field---Two miniature pendants from a cherry tree from Tony Devita’s yard. Both had beautiful grain.
Tony Valdez---A ballet dancer from his Tuesday and Wednesday carving times. Was painted by his wife. And a painted relief creamy colored flower on a black background block.
TRUTH OF THE CARVING?
The truth of a carving is within the carving itself or within the carver. The carving originality may or not be clear. Originality is generally a goal of artists that can be looked upon as a means to differentiate from other works of art. Modern art, yet always under criticism, does enable very strong originality and possess a question of what is the artist attempting to tell us. However, the creative thought and generation of an obscure idea can be provoking to the viewer, but satisfying to the artist. But, is it only a satisfaction for the artist with a work of art, and be damn with the public reactions?
As in works of carvings among our carving friends, there remains a question of how we differ from main-line artists; or do we? Perhaps there is a bigger attempt to please the public, as with a lesser degree for ourselves. There does not seem to be a right or wrong of having a dual goal. There is, though, a reasonable feeling that a carving is made with the judges in mind for a judging competition in a show, which will clearly define a truth of the carver.
But isn’t the "plain and simply joy of carving" the more important issue, regardless of the basis for the carving design? What is important will differ among carvers. Is the truth of the carving really about the carver and not the carving? If the goal is to seek pure enjoyment with a carving, then the truth lies herein with the carver. If the goal is to seek differentiation through a message in the object of the carving, then the truth lies in the carving. Where do your truths lie?
Keep your tools sharp
Roger Benedict
March 15---Scott Long, Rockford sculptor and artist will provide a "clay" talk and demonstration.
April 19---Carve a turtle doorstop;
bring your tools and be ready to carve the turtle.
Scott Long is one of the bright artists in the Rockford area. He has shown his works many times at the Rockford Museum, has been in numerous outdoor art shows, and makes his living from his artwork. Primarily he is a sculptor in clay, plaster, concrete, and bronze. His work is in abstract area, yet has accomplished several life size realistic bust commissions.
Misc Chips
BLACKHAWK CARVING SHOW
When----- Saturday, August 13, 2005
Time------10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Where-----Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Rockford, IL
Our first show committee meeting was productive, and obvious we have a lot of work on our hands from the standpoint of moving to a new site. The new site at Klehm Arboretum is challenging only because it is new and the things we took for granted with Kenrock’s site are no longer a given. However there is plenty of enthusiasm and eager committee members to provide a successful show. The administrative staff at Klehm Arboretum is very cooperative and helpful; they sure are looking forward to this event that is being steered toward a community event. Stay "tuned in" for your opportunity to volunteer for the many tasks coming up in the near future.
THE TURTLE DOORSTOP
A carving project for the August show has been developed for any member who wants to participate. A sawed-blank turtle with a long tail used as a doorstop will be available at the April meeting for a carving session. This is to be a Tuesday night business meeting project, and preferred not a Wednesday morning activity. Twenty blanks will be available and need to done and painted before August 13th show. More information at the March meeting will be available.
For those who have an e-mail address the newsletter will be sent via the Internet. It would be appreciated to have a larger list, thus please forward your address to RJ Benedict.
REGIONAL CARVING SHOWS
March 19-20, Plover, WI. Wisconsin River Carvers 5th annual show held at Elizabeth Inn & Convention Center at I-39 and Hwy 54. (715) 344-2274 Bill Kubisiak.
March 19-20, Wheaton, IL. North Suburban Carvers annual Spring Artistry in Wood exhibition held at Cantigny Park, 1 S. 151 Winfield Road. (630) 668-5161.
April 16, Menomonie, WI. Northwest Wisconsin Woodcarvers Ninth annual exposition and sale held at Thunder Mall. (715) 664-8638 Jean Moats.
April 24, Oshkosh, WI. Annual carving show and sale held at Winnebago County Expo Center on Cty Y east of Cty 76. (920) 725-5391 Bob Gehr.
May 14-15 Bloomington, IL. Annual Sculptors in Wood carving show and sale held at Challenger Learning Center. (309) 662-4267 Mike Hartzler.
July 9 Delafield, WI. Lake County Carvers 24th annual show competition and show held at Public Works Building 111 Main At. (262) 542-3867 Tom Ellenson.
August 13 Rockford, IL. Blackhawk Woodcarvers 10th annual carving and competition show held at Klehm Arboretum & Botanical gardens 2701 Clifton Ave. (815) 397-8910 Roger Benedict.
September 11 Madison, WI. Capital Area Carvers of Wisconsin 17th annual show and sale held at Olbrich Botanical Gardens Atwood Avenue.
October 22-23 Wheaton, IL. North Suburban Carvers 26th annual Artistry in Wood Exhibition and competition held at DuPage County Fair grounds. (773) 763-1788 Marcy Samat.
CARVING CLUB WEBSITE
http://www.carving.moscinski.net/
Important; notify the newsletter editor for any member’s sickness that requires announcing to the membership.
A Quote
"I am still learning"
----Michelangelo
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. When meeting together with similar dreams one will find their own passion is shared in good faith.
