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North Texas Wood Carver's Guild Show 2014

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This weekend I had a great time at the North Texas Wood Carver's Guild Rhapsody in Wood show. I had the opportunity see a lot of great carvings and talk to a number of talented carvers as well as up and coming carvers. It is this time with people who share an interest in wood carving that I like best about the show. I really enjoy answering questions, demonstrating technique and learning new things. Below are some photos I took while there. Let me know your thought on the show, especially if you were there. This year I had the pleasure to share my table with Jody Webb. The three crosses on the right of the table are Jody's. Whittling contest On a final note, the show had to end early due to an unseasonal (for Texas) ice storm.

In Memory of Ludwig Kieninger

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Ludwig Kieninger passed away earlier this month. I spent may years studying woodcarving with Ludwig Kieninger. Many of my current students previously studied with him as well. He was a talented and fascinating man and all who knew him will miss him. In addition to some of the photos of Ludwig Kienger  and his work on my web site,  in loving memory, I wanted to post some additional photos that I have gathered over the years. From the Bavarian Woodcarving Studio in DeSoto, TX A young, dapper Ludwig Kieninger I have no idea how Danny convinced him to wear that hat. At Jesuit College Preparatory School in Dallas, TX 

1912 Woodcarving Video

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Doug Oliver  from TexasWoodcarver.com sent me a link to this French woodcarving film from 1912. That is over 100 years ago and many of the same tools and techniques are still in use today. I do not, however, endorse using the palm of the hand as a mallet. Have a look. Enjoy some history and let me know what you think.

Come see Rhapsody in Wood 2013

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Some of my students and I will be at the North Texas Wood Carver's Guild show " Rhapsody in Wood " this Saturday and Sunday (March 2nd and 3rd 2013). Come see a wide variety of wood carving, turning, pyrography, vendors and more. The show is at the Grapevine Convention Center: 1209 South Main Street, Grapevine, TX Show hours are Saturday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sunday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. See the show web page for all the details. I will be there doing carving demonstrations and answering questions. I hope to see you there.

Travis Bryant's New Website

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Travis Bryant is an artist working in the medium of wood. Though most of his creations are in the form of fine furniture, his woodcarving work has made an appearance in this blog. Travis recently put together a website at: TBryantStudio.com . Have a look and let Travis know what you think via the contact information on his new site.

Sermon on the Mount by Russ Aikins

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While I was studying woodcarving with Ludwig Kieninger back in the late 80's, a fellow student named Russ Aikins was working on impressive carving of the Sermon on the Mount. I did not get to see it completed. When I last saw it, it was still a work in progress. I recently learned that over 20 years later, Russ completed the carving and it is now installed at the First United Methodist Church of Plano. The piece is approximately four feet wide and the composition includes over 50 individual figures. There is a nice write up of the history of this piece at The United Methodist Reporter. There is also this video on Vimeo showing details of the carving. Hopefully I will be able to go and see the carving soon. If you get an opportunity to see it, let me know what you think. Updated July 2018 - The article link in the original post is no longer available. Updated to another article.

Stations of the Cross by Ludwig Kieninger

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I recently had the opportunity to meet with some great people over at All Saints Catholic Church to see a set of Stations of the Cross carved by Ludwig Kieninger . These stations were carved for All Saints in the late 1970's. The stations are mounted up on the wall going around the church as can be seen in this photo from the church website. Unfortunately, my photos did not turn out as well as I had hoped. The color fidelity is not that good. Still, I hope you will enjoy having a look. If you are a parishioner of All Saints, leave a comment and let me know what these carvings have meant to you.