Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Maine Woods

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Dave Fisher

A little over 150 years ago, Henry David Thoreau visited the Maine woods to learn from nature and the Penobscot tribe, including his Penobscot guide, Joe Polis.  A week and a half ago, I also journeyed to the Maine woods … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, nature, sketch, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Curly Bird

Posted on September 26, 2015 by Dave Fisher

I’m looking forward to writing about this past whirlwind weekend full of knives, wood chips, and beards.  But, meanwhile, I’ll post some photos of this bird-inspired bowl carved from Chinese chestnut.  I hope the egg might provide some sense of … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 3 Comments

A Little Color

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Dave Fisher

After carving these spoons, I decided to add some color to the handles.  The top three are artist oil paints.  I like how easy it is to just squeeze a little out of the tube for small jobs like this. … Continue reading →

Posted in paint, spoons, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

By Hound and Eye

Posted on September 13, 2015 by Dave Fisher

Arcs flow seamlessly across a transition point if their radii align there in a straight line. — George Walker and Jim Tolpin, By Hound and Eye If you read the quote above and said, “Huh?,” it’s because you haven’t seen … Continue reading →

Posted in books, layout, patterns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

White Oak Bowl — Finished

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Dave Fisher

  In creating, the only hard thing’s to begin; A grass-blade’s no easier to make than an oak — James Russell Lowell, A Fable for Critics (1848) I wonder if James Russell Lowell ever carved an oak bowl?  In these … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, patterns, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Sinuous Side Panels

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Dave Fisher

A week or two ago, a friend had a red maple (Acer rubrum) tree down, and I was happy to help him cut it up and rescue a few chunks for bowls.  The creamy white wood might represent a great … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, layout, patterns, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Carving with Kids

Posted on August 15, 2015 by Dave Fisher

Ten years ago, when my son was six, I gave him a pocketknife.  My wife thought this was stupid.  Within a day, I was with him at the emergency room watching him get stitches in his finger.  This was rough, … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

A Hollow Bunny

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Dave Fisher

As children, many of us experienced the disappointment of biting into a chocolate Easter bunny only to discover that it was hollow.  Oh cruel world!  But no worries this time: the bunny above is made of wood, not chocolate.  And … Continue reading →

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Roughing It

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Dave Fisher

I’ve been roughing out bowls.  Rather than store logs for long periods in the summer heat, I try to do the green carving and let the roughed bowls dry.  Then they can patiently wait for further carving until I get … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, carving, drying, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

White Oak Bowl — Hollowing with an Adze

Posted on August 1, 2015 by Dave Fisher

When I have demonstrated at festivals, I have noticed several different types of reactions and comments among observers.  By far, the most common reaction is sincere interest and curiosity that elicits good questions from open minds and enjoyable conversation. However, … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, bowls, carving, holding, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments