With more than 100 carvings entered in this year’s Santa Carving Contest, judging was a difficult task indeed. It’s interesting to see how carvers took inspiration from last year’s entries. We definitely saw improvement in the pieces from carvers who participate every year.
The following are this year’s honorable mentions:
Passing Preflight Inspection
By Sandy Smith, Lakeview, Ark.
Judges Notes: Sandy Smith’s overall design is heartwarmingly amusing. The carved scene is sentimental, charming, and cheery. The piece is executed well in terms of carving and painting, and Sandy did a good job of incorporating the base with the main figures.
This is the fourth year in a row that Sandy Smith earned an honorable mention. The piece measures 10½” tall by 9½” wide by 12″ long. It is carved from a single piece of basswood and painted using acrylic paints. Sandy modeled Rudolph using reference photos of real deer, but instituted artistic license for his glowing nose. Santa’s flight boots are modeled after her husband’s Marine Corp pilot boots.
Santa Holding Toys
By Scott Jeffrey, Aloha, Ore.
Judges Notes: Scott Jeffrey’s carving appealed to the judges’ love of traditional Santas. The judges feel the glossy finish detracts from the overall presentation, but love the carved details, such as the ringlets in the doll’s hair and the texturing of Santa’s fur trim. Scott did an excellent job of capturing Santa’s joyous expression.
Scott Jeffrey carved this piece out of a single block of basswood. The Santa measures 14″ tall by 6″ wide by 5″ deep. It is painted with acrylic paints. Scott’s inspiration comes from a Christmas picture book. To work out his design, Scott donned a large parka and Santa hat, and filled his arms with toys and packages, while his wife photographed him from a number of angles.
Santa Riding a Rooster
By Ed Pribyl, Round Lake, Ill.
Judges Notes: Ed Pribyl’s distressed antique finish complements the folk-art style of this Santa. While the carving does not represent the traditional image usually associated with Santa Claus, the carving has a delightful vintage appeal and succeeds at portraying the spirit of Santa in a non-traditional fashion.
Ed Pribyl’s Santa, carved from three pieces of basswood, measures 19″ tall by 9″ deep by 12″ long. The carving is finished using acrylic paints and a distressing process of Ed’s own design. The piece is inspired by Ed’s love of folk-art roosters and folk-art Santas. It seemed natural for him to combine his two interests in this carving.
Honorable Mention prizes have been supplied by Knotts Knives, The Woodchip Shop, Steve Brown Woodcarving, and KV Woodcarving Supplies.
