Out of The Woodwork    woodcarvings by   

From once a live tree, now a dead tree comes a piece of nature called wood. The trunk of the tree, the foundation of the tree, yields to the foundation of a piece of art, a woodcarving.

God so created this earth that we benefit so much and we base our existence on his bountiful gifts of nature.

With the use of finely sharpened steel instruments, a sharp imagination and a vision of expression we glide our instruments across, with and around the wood grain to present a lasting impression, a woodcarving. Many woods can be carved, but not all wood is suitable for carving, the most common used is bass wood, (the American Linden Tree). Other woods such as pine, butternut, catalpa, willow, and aspen all make for a fine choice. Harder woods like walnut, mesquite, and oak can be carved, but are more difficult.

Tools used to carve wood are gouges and sometimes knifes. If you carve a piece completely with a knife it is said to be a whittled piece, If you carve your piece with gouges it is a sculpture. Knives alone cannot create all the lines and flows which give depth and softness to the finished carving.

 Woodcarving can bring forth a lifetime of pleasure. There is no better way to relax after the rigors of a tough day than to sit at your workbench with a carving in hand. With each cut of the tool the cares and worries of the world lift up from your shoulders. Soon you will find you are whistling or humming a tune as the chips fall from the workbench.

Out of the Woodwork  woodcarvings by

Harry Seurkamp

not only produces fine woodcarvings but  also gives wood carving instructions. If  the carvings on my site appeal to you and you would like to try your hand at it, I can make that happen. You can learn as I did, from others, there are several carving clubs in every state of our United States. Contact me and I can get you in touch with someone in your area. We have over 20 clubs here in Texas and a state carving organization. The Texas Woodcarvers Guild holds two seminars a year check out the web site.