Do your carvings lack the artistic expression you desire?
If so, try stylized carving. This technique favors form over detail and allows the natural state of the wood to dictate the direction of your work. By using this technique, your carvings will gain movement and your work will be more interesting. Inside this book you will be introduced to the artwork of 14 accomplished carvers. You will find out what inspires them and why they prefer stylized carving to other techniques. You will also be led, step-by-step, through 5 carving projects.

Featuring 5 step-by-step carving demonstrations:

Canvasback
Hummingbird
Bottlenose Dolphin
Shelf-sitting Mouse
Rainbow Trout

Featuring Interviews and Art from 14 Top Carvers
Ray Kunz , Dick Pillmore, Gino Sordi, Clark Schreibeis, Mary Kruetzfeldt, J. Christopher White, Del Herbert, Ken Newman, Ralph Mueller, June Lyons, Carl Korschgen, Lew Hammer, Nick Eason, Pati Stajar

Dave Hamilton is an ecologist by profession, working primarily in the area of wetland ecology. He has been carving and competing in shows for almost 20 years. While Dave enjoys carving a variety of bird species, he specializes in hummingbirds and in the wading birds common to the wetlands he works on professionally. He also enjoys carving stylized pieces and reproductions of antique decoys. Dave lives in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he carves, teaches classes, and is a member of the Northern Colorado Woodcarvers.

Chuck Solomon is a terrestrial ecologist and works primarily with endangered species in the Central Valley of California. He has been teaching carving classes and participating in carving competitions for over 15 years. He has won more than 100 ribbons at shows in Colorado, California, Alaska and Canada, including Best of Show and Best of Division. Chuck has also judged several shows in Colorado. His work consists primarily of songbirds, waterfowl and mammals, both realistic and interpretive.

Chuck currently lives in the Sacramento, California, area where he works, carves, teaches classes and is an active member of the Capital Woodcarvers Association and California Carvers Guild.