Student Feature: Dave Norris
At the heart of Kukstis Woodcarving is the “artist’s journey” Carving Classes. Paul’s Carving Classes have been a fixture of the Studio for years, where novices and experts alike hone their skills creating pieces like no other. Somewhere along the line, whether by design or organically, Paul’s Carving Classes have become a place that fosters growth of all kinds: growth of talent, growth of a love for wood carving, and most importantly, growth of life-long friendships.
In the next few posts we focus on some of the “Usual Suspects” of Paul’s Carving Classes. Join us in the Studio with them as they share some of their experiences and stories! This post’s featured student, Dave, describes Paul’s Studio as his “happy place,” and this particular post includes a sense memory of Dave’s connection to Paul’s studio, and his Grandfather’s workshop.
What drew you to Kukstis Woodcarving?
For Christmas, my partner Kim gave me a series of lessons as a gift about a year before Paul moved the studio from above the Galley to its current location.
It was the perfect gift, as I’d done some carving years ago with an instructor in Middleboro, and was thrilled to have the chance to get back to it. Kim has mentioned many times that it’s the only gift she’s given me that I actually used!
How has Paul supported you?
From day one, I was made to feel welcomed, just as Paul has done for all his students. Each of us walks in that first visit with a different set of core skills and some combination of enthusiasm and hesitancy. No matter what you bring to the Studio, Paul treats each student with the same respect, support, and patience as he helps us embrace his passion and discover the joy of woodcarving for ourselves. The blog I wrote about the smell of sawdust, any portion of which you are welcome to use, described my experience as a kid in my grandfather’s shop and drew some parallels to the experience at Kukstis Woodcarving.
What project(s) did you work on as a student?
My very first project was a relief of the logo for my sons’ college, Virginia Military Institute. Over the years, I’ve done lots of fish, whales, a mermaid, a few house number signs, a lion’s head, an egret and, my favorite, an eagle using a design I’d found online. Most carved in pine, but I’ve also used basswood which is pretty soft and easy to carve, mahogany which is just the opposite, and cedar which is fun to carve as each stroke of the knife brings out that cedar aroma and reveals the stripes of color inherent in cedar. I would say I lean more toward the sculpting of shapes and figures versus the precision of carving letters for signs. As Paul has said many times, when I ask his opinion on a developing project, “Hey, it’s your (bird, whale, eagle, mermaid, egret etc.). You get to decide what it’ll look like!”
Any favorite things, memories, stories from carving class?
Kukstis Woodcarving has become my happy place. The sense of accomplishment, the peaceful environment with people from all walks of life and the universal support for one another and from Paul makes it a sanctuary where you get to leave your stress and strains at the door while you settle in, start to listen to what the wood is telling you and discover what lies beneath as you try your best not to head to the sanding room for yet another bandage.
I have taken some time off during our past year of social distancing though classes are being held on a limited basis and look forward to getting back to what was arguably one of the best parts of “normal” for me.
What is your advice to someone thinking about taking a class?
Give it a go and I promise you won’t be disappointed. Regardless of experience or basic skills, you will be welcomed and given the guidance and encouragement that have caused so many to discover their own love of woodcarving.
For Dave’s full blog post, read on here…
