Why Is This Man Smiling?

I really don't think I have to add much to this post. The photo says it all.

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Congratulations again Myron...Well deserved!

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And The Winner Is.....Myron Compton!

Congratulations Myron! Of all the submissions I think your sculpture represents the character Quigley the best. Your carving technique is clean and crisp and your painting amplifies those aspects and brings your figure to life. Your details are spot on. Considering all of these things I'm proud to declare you the winner of the first Out West Challenge.

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To the rest of you....as I said before you are all winners in my book. It's clear when looking over the entries that a lot of time and care went into your efforts. I hope this little contest forced you to stretch a little by developing a carving that is truely yours. Also, as I mentioned earlier, if you would like for me to comment individually on your piece just drop me an email and I'll give you my honest opinion.

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Again, to Myron...."You are definitely the man!" at least till next year. The trophy will be in the mail as soon as I get the name tag ordered and nailed on.

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There are more photos of Myron's carving in the Gallery. Of course your comments are welcome.

The Out West Challenge - Quigley Down Under

When you forward your photos via email at the end of the contest make sure to take the time to submit the best quality photo you can. If you have any questions on how to take a nice photo just check out my Blog post on taking photos. Here's the link:
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http://outwestwoodcarving.blogspot.com/2009/09/taking-photos.html
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A piece of posterboard and a couple of easy steps will give you excellent results. Also, keep them under 800 pixels tall or wide so my email connection doesn't flame-out. Thanks.

The Out West Challenge - The Participants

Here is a list of those signed up to participate in the Out West Challenge. If you sent me an email and your name doesn's appear here let me know and I'll make sure it gets added. No more names will be accepted once this list is published.

Mike Pounders, Little Rock, AR
Andy Snowden, Florence, Mt.
Jim O'Harra, Grove City, OH
Wayne Smith, Nova Scotia
Jim Quilici, Manteca, CA
Ed Redwine, Augusta, KS
De Mobbs, Melbourne, FL
Yaki Tzur, Israel
Dave Gilb, Phoenix, AZ
Terry Vance, Warner Robin, GA
Jeff Bailey, Tazewell, VA
Kris Brown, Walla Walla, WA
Glen Roe, Lebanon, TN
Brandant Robinson, Cedar City, UT
Alvin Belflower, Amarillo, TX
Rod Martin, Elkhart, IN
Chuck Brooks, Wilson, NC
Robbie Reed, Tahlequah, OK
Keith Stewart, BC Canada
Myron Compton, Pekin IN
Hal Allen, Shoreline WA
Tom Ellis, Spokane, WA
Joe Davis, Maryville, TN
Terry Curtis, Baldwin, MS
Debi Heney, Battle Ground, WA
Bob Tamillo, Ellettsville, IN
Jim Gleason, Waterloo, IA
Jim Daehler, Davenport IA
Robert Johnson, Quartz Hill, CA
Mark Lovell, Elm Springs, AR
Dave Dunlap, Kingman, AZ
Jerry Myers, West Alexandria, OH
Earl Benton, Springfield, MO
Jody Sebring, East Stroudsburg, PA
James Hooper, Edmond, OK
Jeffrey Day, Scenery Hill, PA
Peter Grant, Windsor, Ontario
Joe McMullen, Lincoln, NE
Tom Hindes, Delaware, OH
Ed Kantola, St. Maries, ID
John Smith, Anchorage, AK
Mark Dellinger, New Castle, IN
Tony Agatucci, Springfield, IL
Fred Krafton, Marshfield, MA
Loren Stiegelmeyer, Cedar Rapids, IA
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Wow! Quite a group! My job is going to be much harder than I thought! A couple of you didn't give your complete information so if you could forward that I'd appreciate it. Once received I'll update this list with the missing information. Again, if you send me your name and it's not on the list please let me know.
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If you have any questions just let me know. Now get to work!

It's On!!

I hope you've got your tools sharp, your research done, and your ideas all sketched out. It may not be High Noon yet but that Challenge is outside in the street waiting for you to show up. From all the names received so far it looks like it's going to be a great challenge. From British Columbia to Nova Scotia, from the United Kingdom to Israel, that street in front of the Out West Saloon is filling up fast.
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Now for that "Kink" .........The kink is that there is no kink! There is a little detail on the hat that I'll be looking for so if you haven't done your research in that area you'd better go back and search some more. It's not required but you'll get extra points if it's on your piece.

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So have fun and again, if you have a question just drop me a note.

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- GOOD LUCK!

The Out West Challenge - The Rules

With the commencement of this contest just a week away I thought I'd go ahead and give you the rules that will govern it. That way if there is any questions about what's involved we can get them out of the way before the gun goes off.

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- The Rules

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1. Who: Any non-professional carver. By that I mean if your name appears in the back of Chip Chats under the Seminar section or has ever appeared there or in any other publication, internet site or otherwise as an instructor.....forget it! Same goes with belonging to any juried or restricted carvers organization. This contest is strictly for the non-professional who carves for the fun of it and wants to improve.

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2. What: The subject to be carved is the character "Roy" Quigley from the movie "Quigley Down Under". He's a real interesting fella that's easily recognized. The carving is to be a bust under 15 inches including the base. In this case anything above the figures knees will fit that qualification. While non-wood attachments can be used the figure must be composed of at least 95 percent carved wood. Multiple pieces of wood may be used but once the figure is completed they should not be evident. The figure may be painted. left natural or a combination of the two. On completion the figure is to be mounted on a wooden base. This base can be carved, turned or may be a combination of the two. How the figure is presented and carved is completely up to the carver.

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3. Where: Thats up to you as long as it's not setting next to or close by one of those who aren't eligible. This is the carvers project no one should seek help.

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4. When: January 4, 2010. On that opening date All carvers participating are to forward to me via email at: ljdoughty@outwestgallery.com, their name and both their physical and email addresses. A brief note about your carving experience would also be appreciated. No entry applications will be accepted after that date. On January 5 I will publish the names of those participating. An additional mandatory requirement will also be announced on that date to ensure that nobody starts earlier than they're supposed to. The contest will run for 31 days and end on February 3, 2010. At the end of the 30th day, February 2, the carver will forward to me via email 5 photos showing all four sides of the piece along with an oblique frontal view which will be posted on my Blog. At the end of the 31st day the contest ends and no more submissions will be accepted. There will be only one prize..."The Out West Challenge" trophy for 2010.

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In judging the carvings I'll be looking for three things: Originality, quality of worksmanship and overall presentation. Once the judging is complete I'll post the results on the Blog.

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Should further explanation of the rules is necessary please drop me a note in the comment section below. Hopefully, if things run smoothly we'll do the same thing the following year with a different character.....sort of a "Super Bowl" of woodcarving.

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So, you have a week to read the rules, sharpen your tools, do your research and plan out your project. I look forward to seeing what you come up with. Have fun & good luck!

How About A Carving Challenge?

While I think most of you here also follow the WCI forum I'll repeat what I posted there earlier today just in case some didn't happen to see it there.

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As I was jumping around the net this morning looking for new reference material I came across the photo below. Wow! Now that would make a great carving. Then I thought...Wow! That would make an even greater challenge. Here's my idea ..... Let's make it a bust, painted and under 12 inches including the base, put a 30 day limit on it, professional or recognized carvers would be excluded to give everyone an equal chance. I would be the judge and the prize would be my version of the same figure. Hopefully, this doesn't sound to egotistical as it's not meant to. The way you do it would be completely up to you ... NO extra points if you follow my methods. On the 30th day you would have to submit to me via the web 5 photos, a view of each side plus an oblique frontal view. Prior to judging I'd post a photo of each carving on the blog so everyone could see who has done what. To make sure there won't be any early starters I'll toss something extra in just before the start. Also, as a lot of you have mentioned that you're tied up with Christmas carving we'll plan on starting after the first of the year. Once a starting date is set I'll ask for your names so only those signed up will be eligible.

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I think this will be a lot of fun. Hopefully, it will give you an opportunity to try something new while exploring areas of our craft that you normally wouldn't consider. From the response I've seen on the forum site it looks like quite a few are interested so it should be quite a competition.

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So stay tuned and we'll see what happens.