Handmade
Making the Art
A finished work of art is at the final stage of a long journey.
Traditional woodcarving takes a specialized set of skills that involves cultural, technical and creative knowledge.
Artists learn traditional knowledge from many sources, often from family, community members and peers. Additional knowledge may come from specialized art schools, coastal carving events, formal and informal mentorships, and research into west coast art collections in museums.
From Start to Finish
Step 1. Conceptualizing
Once an idea has been conceptualized, the artist might begin preparing material or starting on a drawing. Traditional artists are inspired by the teachings of their culture, their observations of the world, the materials they use, and the work of other artists.
Step 2. Preparation
Once a piece of material has been selected it needs to be brought to the carving site where its basic shape is roughed out. During this time the artist decides how best to 'engineer' the cuts to stabilize the material, makes sure the piece is symmetrical and flat where needed, prepares the approach for carving, and starts to manage the drying process.
Step 3. Blocking
The design is transferred onto the material with a pencil and the basic shape of the design is blocked out using a chainsaw. As the project progresses, the artist will re-transfer the design several times and continue carving it down until it's time to use hand tools for finer work.
Step 4. Carving
Traditional carving tools such as adzes, chisels and knives are used to refine the shape. This stage is done by hand and the process is gradual as the design becomes more and more refined. The final 20% of the project can take up the same amount of time as the first 80%. During this time the artist continues to control the drying process and make adjustments to accommodate the changing needs of the material.
Step 5. Finishing
The surface of each piece is either sanded, 'blade' finished, or a combination of the two. A blade finish is a textured surface made by creating multiple even blade cuts in a pattern. Paint choice and application is influenced by the artist's personal tastes and cultural tradition. The art might be left unpainted, highlighted, or fully coated with paint. Painting takes multiple coats to ensure a smooth, even application and crisp edges on the lines.
