Articles by: magassist
By Bob Duncan It’s something of an incongruity that one of the most innovative and influential carvers in the United States uses a humble found wood as his medium. Rick Jensen has been carving cottonwood bark—literally, the thick bark of dead eastern cottonwood trees, which Rick harvests himself in North […]
By Bob Duncan Fred Cogelow was destined to be a carver. “Everything just kept leading to it,” he said. His father was a woodworker who died when Fred was six, leaving behind a set of tools that Fred used to make his first carving: a face gouged into his mother’s […]
By Bob Duncan Over the past 40 years, Floyd Rhadigan has taught thousands of people how to carve. His clear instructions and appealing designs have become as well known in the carving world as his sparkling eyes, leather vest, and long hair, and his speedy knife and tireless travel schedule […]
By Bob Duncan Like so many others, Harley Refsal discovered his life’s work while in college. But Harley wasn’t inspired to become a doctor, lawyer, or businessman. Instead, on a choir tour to Scandinavia in 1965, Harley discovered flat-plane woodcarving. “I saw whittled figures, what I know now were considered […]
By Bob Duncan Vic Hood’s amazing realistic carvings consistently earn Best of Show awards, but it’s Vic’s dedication to sharing his knowledge and passion for carving that earns him the coveted Woodcarving Illustrated Woodcarver of the Year award. Viewing the highly detailed busts Vic carves today, you’d never guess his […]
By Bob Duncan Tom Wolfe is one of the most prolific authors of woodcarving books in the United States. Tom’s instructional texts have influenced thousands of carvers. With more than 50 books to his name, Tom has taught generations of carvers how to complete everything from caricatures to woodspirits. “I […]
By Bob Duncan Photos by Mark Featherly Noted for his highly detailed realistic busts, John Burke’s biggest contribution to the world of woodcarving is the impact he has had on other carvers. John has been teaching carving for more than 20 years. John pioneered many of the methods used to […]
By Bob Duncan Chris Pye is a well-known name in the carving community. In addition to his comprehensive books and articles, Chris has carved pieces for the Royal Family of Great Britain. Chris shares his knowledge with others and is one of the key players responsible for teaching traditional carving […]
During the ten years we have been publishing Woodcarving Illustrated, it has become very clear that the growth of woodcarving relies heavily on the strength of the community of carvers. And so this year we want to recognize two individuals who have invested their energies to inspire, teach, encourage, and […]
By Bob Duncan Marvin Kaisersatt, Marv to his friends, is a founding member of the Caricature Carvers of America (CCA). He is an active carving instructor, has contributed to various CCA publications, and is the author of Creating Caricature Heads in Wood and on Paper. Making his living as a […]
