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 Don Stansfield will provide a carving class in September on "flat plane carving."

New business

Don Stansfield announced that carving classes are available in Davenport, IA during the International Congress Carving Show. The classes are June 19^th through the 24^th. He also recommended that everyone should try to attend this show. The show itself is from June 22^nd through 25^th. For specific information see Don Stansfield and/or watch for the newsletter announcements.

Guest speaker was Guy Fiorenza who talked about old circus days by showing several of his horse carvings, a carved wagon by Joe Taggart, and a video of a miniature scaled circus.

Richard Andersen-----Based on his grandson's question of "what do you carve?", Richard showed a carved handgun, and a turned trinket box of three years ago with the recent addition of relief leaves on the box sides, and an antique wooden plane that he refurbished with carved holly leaves on the sides, and a painted hound dog.

Tony DeVita-----Painted Santa Claus that sits on a shelf

Marshall Field-----A work in process watch dog from #4 son's road kill wood.

When I look at a carving I want to touch it. Not because the urge is to feel the quality of finish, but to touch the same surface as the carver did while he or she was generating the carving. This is my way of getting to know the carver; to recognize the tools used and to touch the same surfaces as the carver did-----as if I am shaking hands with the carver. There are so many quality carvings to admire from our carving club, and to know a member from their carvings is neat to explore.

Surely, this would be a same feeling if viewers would be allowed to touch statues in a museum gallery. But obviously if allowed over the years, the art would become destroyed from grim and body oil etc. Yet years ago while in Florence when I was fortunate to visit the Museo Nazionale del Bargello I was face to face with many works of Donatello and Michelangelo, but had to forcibly resist touching them. I have always wondered what it would have been like to experience the exact same surfaces that these artists laid their hands on, and to feel the tool marks or the sanded surfaces etc.? As one becomes more involved with a statue from the sight it became appealing for me to sense the touching. This would provide a powerful response to the sculpture. Always I have this urge, but unfortunate only a very few people have experience the masters with touch.

Back to reality with our woodcarvings, I suggest that we take advantage to touch and explore each carving created by our friends. To let them know how much we want to do this would go a long way to signal our appreciation of his or her works.

Keep your tools sharp

Roger Benedict

May 16^th---Guest speaker Bob Matthews leading a session on how to carve a feather; a hands on activity----bring your tools.

June 20^th----Bring your current carving project and tools to be part of a carving group for carving, sharing and discussion.

July 18^th----Bring your current carving project and tools to be part of a carving group for carving, sharing and discussion.

August 15^th----Open time; show review, personal carving, etc.

September 19^th----Guest Speaker Roger Benedict about reliefs; a hands on activity, bring your tools to carve a leaf.

October 17^th----Guest Speaker Steve Coogan about sketching what you see; a hands on activity.

November 21^st---- Guest speaker Bob Matthews on painting your carving; bring paints and brushes.

December 19^th----Christmas party and swap night.

Bob Matthews has developed an excellent skill with carving birds and denoting precise feather arrangements. For his presentation he will lead us through a project in carving a single feather. Bob will supply the wood, and you supply your tools (make sure to bring gouges and a carving glove) and wit. Bob and his wife are from the southern burbs of Chicago. He began carving ducks in 1979 and soon discovered they all looked alike, and switched to songbirds. Then today he concentrates on birds of prey. He retired in 1998 from United Airlines in the cargo distribution center. Currently he and his wife spend most of their time traveling with their motor home, either on short summer trips or wintering in the SE part of the USA.

If you ever wondered what it is about a circus that draws kids and adults, you would now know from Guy Fiorenza's presentation. He brought us through the circus history including his early Rockford experience as a boy during the 1940's. This was a presentation about scaled miniature carved wooden wagons by a Rockford man, Joe Taggart, and the carving works of horses & circus workers by Guy. But low and behold this evening's presentation turned out to be a terrific reality show of circus life from a video of Joe Taggart's miniature three-ring circus. From the presentation were several enlarged circus photos, with some photos of actual circuses in Rockford long ago. Even though this evening was about carving, we had a double treat of circus life from a person, Guy Fiorenza, who actually witness the circus setting up and living the organization of circuses.

Thanks to Tod (Stoddard) Wisner of submitting an article about Diamond Willow, there are several interesting points of interest to pass along. From a 1998 revised article by Bob Gander the following is noted:

Diamond willow is not a species of willow, but a result of a fungus that forms cankers, or diamonds, on clumps of willows. About 4 or 5 willow species will respond to the fungus.

There are over a 100 species of willow in North America, whereas diamond willow can be found throughout much of Alaska, the Great Plains, parklands, and boreal forests. Diamond willow is an excellent wood to work with for carvings and craft objects. Your tools need to very sharp to avoid tearing the wood fibers.

The heartwood is similar to basswood, yet the sapwood is somewhat harder than the heartwood. Its irregularity of shape adds to the esthetic appeal of the completed item.

Some carvers used primarily knives and gouges. However there are many cases where a dremel is used for hard to get to places or general sanding.

For carved items that are placed outdoors a high grade of urethane is recommended. However for general indoors displays, typical oils are used as Tung, Watco, Danish etc.

One interesting characteristic is that diamond willow weathers very well, and has been used extensively on the prairies for fence posts.

Over 20 classes are provided with excellent teachers who are known carvers throughout the USA. These classes are presented June 19th through 24^th in Davenport, IA. Classes cover nearly every subject with woodcarving------rounds, reliefs, specific subjects, unique painting styles, pen & ink, decorative gourds, to name just a few. If interested contact our club member, Don Stansfield (815) 2354-0075 for more details about registration.

The show date is Saturday, August 19, 2006. A recent committee meeting has covered all loose ends and we are ready for the show. A major change for the judges and score keepers was approved in this meeting to simplify judges procedures by revising the rating system of each category. Instead of the very subjective 20 point system, we will use a 3 (excellent), 2 (good), 1 (average), and 0 (below average) rating system for each category. Also every category will be awarded with 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd places based on highest points etc. Waiting in the wings will be the advertisement and marketing programs. Individual post cards will eventually be available. Continue to carve either a Santa Christmas ornament and/or a Watchdog. These will be sold during the show. See Tony DeVita for the "Watch-dog" digital clocks. And continue to donate carvings for the raffle.

Ron Flam recently passed away after a long illness. We wish his wife, Cheryl, and family the best wishes during these tough times

Please forward any club or member information to the editor. Also if so inclined, submit a newsy letter of 100 words or less for the newsletter. These would be due the last week of every month.

A reminder to forward your e-mail address to the newsletter editor to be on the list for newsletter on-line. This would facilitate easier distribution and avoid mailing costs.

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

"No man has a good enough memory to make a successful liar."

_____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.