Woodcarver List Who's Who: J

Some images are clickable links to larger, more detailed views

jb044044 aka "Old Joe" Joe Brott, Plattsmouth, NE

Reasonably early member of the Woodcarver List. First or second contributor to the old List fund. Participated in the "Porch Carving Project".

Began whittling and carving balsa wood WW I airplane models at age 9 or 10. Do-it-yourself early on, using 1/2 of a double edge Gillette razor blade. Graduated to pocket knife bark carving in Boy Scouts.

Missed a golden opportunity while in Germany, close to the Black Forest for a year following WW II to help scare the Russians from taking over. Should have looked into woodcarving and good tools rather than normal pass times there.

Got serious about carving in 1948 with the only carving book in the public library (bird carving) while babysitting a new daughter, nursing and house cleaning. Had already made about 400 rustic mallard decoys for hunting by then. B

ecame “seriouser” about carving in 1987 after retiring early and joined MAWA (Omaha club). Soon after, attended a workshop with 24 or so carvers taught by Harold Enlow. He was a magician keeping up with everyone and individually coaching the large group. Eventually carved with Janet Denton, Ivan Denton, Len Dillon, a couple of CCA members at Doane workshops, Harley Refsal, Elaine Steadman, Ron Wells (Rufus) and a host of local/regional instructors.

Did not seem to improve much above beginner talent level so started teaching beginners. Had several profitable years with a carving sideline until the Chinese caught up with woodcarving like Japanese did prior to WW II.

Enjoy do-it-yourself tool making even though my estate has mostly gone to many commercial woodcarving tools and books. Have been half active with a small local club.

Read most carving stuff daily from the email lists, Carvers Companion and watch several YouTube videos on carving, and study the two carving magazines (Carving and WCI).

jbanne aka Jacques Banne

minisculpture.tk and flickr.com/minisculpture

Hello

I am a miniaturist sculptor in wood, now also in ox bones...

I love wood, my "miniature sculpture" { about<14 cm = very small} are mostly carved in wood, as wood for me has a feel of its own., wood allows a beautiful polish finish - even without paint or polish, instead of stone or marble which are cold, wood has a natural warm.

One who carves a piece of wood gives to wood a second life. One recycling a piece of wood may be save a tree.

I use old piece of wood furniture, left over piece of wood from furniture maker , etc..

I invite you to visit my web sites. Feel free to contact me

Bless you, Jacques

Jdillett aka Joe Dillett, Somonauk IL

thecarvingshop.net

I’m Joe Dillett (the “Ask Joe” guy) who just retired from my full-time carving business in January 2008. I’m using my experience of 38 years in the carving business and my formal art training to teach carving to disabled veterans and write the Ask Joe column for Carving Magazine. I still carve part-time but not as a business. I’m currently working on the carvings for the altar, pulpit and Stations of the Cross for a new church in Illinois.

I’m currently helping my students, who finished my 4-year carving apprenticeship program, to get their carving business going. I also love to draw and teach drawing classes. Recently I branched out into pottery and clay sculpture. My wife and I love to spend our retirement years traveling and having fun.

jdkc1982 aka P. Casey Willson

For about 12 years I've messed up a bit of wood here and there. Just over two years ago I made a walking stick out of a piece of cedar, working with a paint scraper, a Dremel with a sanding wheel and a small paring knife.

Wonder of wonders it SOLD when I sent a picture to a friend and one of her co-workers was looking over her shoulder when she opened the pic! I now have about 100 bits for the dremel, all sorts of knives, some good some not so good, a few chisels and gouges etc, etc. I've made and sold (or bartered) about 20 walking sticks, joined several carving groups local and on-line.

I figure that in ten years or so I'll even be able to use a carving pattern! LOL So far I just draw what I want on a piece of wood and go for it. Mostly I get at least a close approximation of my goal.

I'm the poor folks carver. I keep it simple and low prices so I have fun and my work can, hopefully, enrich the lives of those who cannot afford expensive carving. Oh, I'm disabled with nerve problems in hands, feet and back so I have to use power or make only one carving a year (grin)!