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Join us for the 2016 North Texas Wood Carver's Guild Show

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Come out to the Grapevine Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas for the 42nd Annual Rhapsody in Wood North Texas Wood Carver's Guild show. There will be lots of carvers, wood turners, scroll saw artists and more displaying and selling their work. There will be competitions and carving supply vendors. I look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new friends there this Saturday (3/5/2016 10am - 5pm) and Sunday (3/6/2016 10am - 4pm). Visit the official Rhapsody in Wood show page for more details.

Rough Out of Corporal Works of Mercy Relief

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This post is to share some progress on the  Corporal Works of Mercy Relief . If you missed it, you can read the first post here . Removing wood to the background: Cleaning up the edges and starting to rough in the shapes: Forms roughed in: Stay tuned for more to come.

Design for Corporal Works of Mercy Relief

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A few months ago, I was asked to design and carve a relief that represents the corporal works of mercy in the context of Christ's sacrifice on the cross. The traditional corporal works of mercy are feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned and bury the dead. This list finds its roots in Matthew 25:34-46. The idea here was to surround the image of Christ on the cross with images of each corporal work of mercy as it might relate to the Passion narrative. The bread for "feed the hungry" and the cup for "give drink to the thirsty" bring to mind the Lord's Supper. The seamless garment and sandals for "clothe the naked" are those that were stripped from Jesus during his crucifixion. The house depicted for "shelter the homeless" is based on images of the house in Ephesus that tradition claims is the house that John took Mary to live in after Jesus's de...

Crosses by Jody Webb

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I received some questions about the crosses with floral decorations on my table at the North Texas Wood Carvers show this year. These were carved by Jody Webb who was sharing the table with me that weekend. Following are some close up photos of Jody's work: As a bonus, here is a clock that Jody carved. Please let me know if you have any feedback or questions that you would like me to relay to Jody.

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.