News

Harley Refsal is the 2012 Woodcarver of the Year

Harley Refsal is the 2012 Woodcarver of the Year

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 October 12, 2016 News
Vic Hood is the 2011 Woodcarver of the Year

Vic Hood is the 2011 Woodcarver of the Year

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 October 11, 2016 News
Tom Wolfe is the 2010 Woodcarver of the Year

Tom Wolfe is the 2010 Woodcarver of the Year

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 October 10, 2016 News
John Burke is the 2009 Woodcarver of the Year

John Burke is the 2009 Woodcarver of the Year

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 October 9, 2016 News
Chris Pye is the 2008 Woodcarver of the Year

Chris Pye is the 2008 Woodcarver of the Year

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 […]

by October 8, 2016 News
Ed Galenstein and Lora S. Irish are the 2007 Woodcarvers of the Year

Ed Galenstein and Lora S. Irish are the 2007 Woodcarvers of the Year

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 October 7, 2016 News
Marvin Kaiseratt is the 2006 Woodcarver of the Year

Marvin Kaiseratt is the 2006 Woodcarver of the Year

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 […]

by October 6, 2016 News
Wayne Barton is the 2005 Woodcarver of the Year

Wayne Barton is the 2005 Woodcarver of the Year

By Bob Duncan After a lifetime of carving, it’s only proper that Woodcarving Illustrated should recognize chip carver Wayne Barton as the 2005 Woodcarver of the Year. He started working with wood when he was five years old. “My grandfather—a part of my extended family—gave me a knife when I […]

by October 5, 2016 News
Rick Bütz is the 2004 Woodcarver of the Year

Rick Bütz is the 2004 Woodcarver of the Year

By Roger Schroeder There’s little if any doubt in my mind that Rick Bütz has done more to popularize woodcarving than anyone else in the field. His first book, How to Carve Wood, has sold close to a quarter of a million copies, and as the host of the PBS […]

by October 4, 2016 News
Desiree Hajny is the 2003 Woodcarver of the Year

Desiree Hajny is the 2003 Woodcarver of the Year

By Roger Schroeder It’s not easy choosing one person out of the hundreds of thousands of people who carve as a hobby or profession to receive WCI’s annual Woodcarver of the Year Award. So many talented carvers, so little space to honor them all, I think to myself. But long […]

by October 3, 2016 News