Some of my carvings are on display and for sale at the new Art Gallery “Arts on the Market” in Downtown Toledo. This is a new Gallery with a lot of crazy great artists. I appreciate the owners, care, vision, and work. Scott is great to work with. Here is their FB page . https://www.facebook.com/Artonmarket/
It is often said about artists that they are “gifted”. This is true some, but every artist will tell you they also have worked very hard, studied, and put in much time and effort to hone their artistic skill. To be a better carver there are some things one has to be willing to do to move on to the next level. I want to share with you eight things that have helped me to keep moving forward, improve, and enjoy woodcarving more than ever. I hope these help you out.
2. Invest the time. You won’t improve your carving if you don’t carve. It takes time and it’s a great time. You have to carve almost every day.
3. You have to be a self-learner. No one is going to push you to be a woodcarver. Be motivated to learn on your own.
4. Invest in books- Order or borrow, but read them and do the projects step by step. I have been mentored by Vic Hood, Jeff Phares, Harold Enloe, Terry Kramer, and John Burke, through their books, as well as many others.
5. Take a class in some way. I have had classes with Alec Lacasse, live and online. I have been part of online woodcarving classes, with Chris Pye, Ian Norbury, and Alec Lacasse. I have bought DVD’s from Mark Gargac, Gene Webb, and Ron Adamson. It’s costs money, but its still cheaper than golf, and it is worth every penny if you want to improve. Every carver has something to impart to you. There are also a lot of free Youtube lessons available.
6. Go to some woodcarving shows – I really got excited about carving when I went to my first woodcarving show in Saline Michigan and watched Floyd Rhadigan, carve caricatures. Wow was I excited. I talked to Vic Hood at a show in Archobold, OH, and looked at his amazing work and I wanted to do that. I talked to Don Mertz at a show and he said “You can do this.” It is motivating to go to shows, talk to carvers and see their art.
7. Carve with Others- We have a small club I started a few years ago. There are woodcarving groups and clubs within driving distance of you. You will learn, stay encouraged and meet some great people. The woodcarving community is so great.
8. Don’t get discouraged and quit. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. I’ve carved a lot of things that weren’t great, but every project adds value to you as a carver because you are learning. Don’t give up or quit when discouraged. Get online, and order a book or watching something for that inspiration to keep at it.
Enjoy the journey. I have been carving for 12 years, a lot the last 3. Just enjoy the process of learning, of a project, and the successes. Remember, anything worth-while takes preparation and time. It is also very fun. Woodcarving has been a gift to my life. It is peace and therapy to me. Enjoy every minute of it. I remember the man that got me into carving, Marty Eddinger. He said, “you love talking and reading about carving more than actually carving.” I took that to heart and go my hands on a chisel and knife to get at it. Enjoy this incredible art form. Be creative, be free, work hard, learn, expand, and grow as a woodcarver.
Keep carving friends! -Nate Elarton
The carving on the left was one of my better faces especially the nose and below the mouth. He is a pretty stern looking dude.
My next project I tried to carve from picture of this actor. I have had the pic awhile and always looked at it. I finally decided to give it a try. My son says I should do it like 5 times and see the improvement and the observations I would gain. I may. I see many things I missed as I study it.  But it was still an enjoyable project nonetheless. I am getting low on bark so need to put an order in for the winter carving. I may have more time as no yard work and I won’t be able to walk or ride mountain bike. Carving on .
I am not sure if I will put this on my Etsy store. Here is a link to that. Click here
This guy has been a blast to carve. I, again, tried to slightly turn the head. I have worked on the nose more since the last pic. I cut down the bridge. It was looking a little bulky. I still have to figure out adding the feathers, without enough room for the whole feather, thus completing the headdress. I might enter this one in the Bedford Arts Contest in September. I entered last year and my Green man won the Purchase Award. The Bedford arts council bought the carving.
I finished this older lady in cotton wood bark last week. The emphasis was working on wrinkles and making lady features. This week I worked on the Native American in bark too. Work on the eyes and also trying to get the headress, but its up a little high. I sure enjoyed these two pieces and carving.
Finally finished this guy’s V-neck and put some Deft on Him. Who’s he remind you of?
I added some more to this sculpture from my last post. Â Added the feather, hat, and the breastplate. Â The great thing about woodcarving is not just the end result. But the peace, joy, and creativity as one is carving.
I took an hour last night and started this one.  Cottonwood bark, my favorite.  I hope to  finish it this weekend.  I haven’t had much time to carve. The church, family, and keeping on top of the house things, keeps one busy, but I sure enjoy when I get some time to carve.
I have been working on my studio. I wanted to make more room f when I host our carving group and to have other men over to carve. I did finish a few projects to get them off the bench and post. Â I could have sanded the Green Man (from Chris Pye book) forever, so I stained it and will donate it and the cottonwood bark man to a silent auction at our church to help get our youth group to a Haiti Missions trip to HUT Outreach.
I did my first bowl. It’s in black walnut. I was pretty happy the way it turned out and my wife loved it. It was fun to do and a different genre of carving other than faces.
Here is  An American Indian I started with Alec Lacasse, finishing it up.  Need some more of this amazing cottonwood bark. Using another one of his carvings (pic beside) to reference for the detail.
Nate Elarton Wood Sculpting 