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Photo by Hans Hallgren

John Clay works on a baby that will be part of his carving entry into the 10th Annual Whittle the Wood Rendezvous. Clay said he is working on a piece that is a tribute to mothers.

Photo by Hans Hallgren

Ken Davis eyes his next cut Wednesday at Craig City Park. Carvers have to change their ideas with the wood they are carving. Davis is working on a spruce tree with a lot of knots and is having to work that into his final design.

Whittle the Wood artists are progressing on their works, moving past the first parts of designing their sculptures that will be displayed Saturday.

Besides the differences in background and experience, the artists differ in their styles and their methods of approaching the design process, but most are happy with how their works are turning out.

"It doesn't pay to violate the tree," said John Clay, of Beulah, who is working on a sculpture that he hopes will be a tribute to mothers.

Thursday was the second day of Whittle the Wood in Craig where 11 artists from out of town came in to compete in a wood carving competition. On Saturday, the competition will come to a close with a celebration, at which point the sculptures will be judged.

As they were starting their wood projects, some artists had ideas sketched in their mind or on paper, while others just started whittling away, hoping to be inspired and find something "coming out of the wood."

Whichever way they start, all agree that making changes and improvising along the way is inevitable.

"This year, I felt like I knew what I wanted to do, and so far, the tree has cooperated according to the sketch, but I may diverge later on," Clay said.

For others, like Forrest Dorman from Cañon City, changes already have come.

"I had to alter the design. I really wanted a momma coming down this way, but as I was working on it, I saw it just wasn't happening, so you just got to work with it," said Dorman, who is working on a sculpture of wolves. "You can't be picky."

Dorman and others agree that learning not to be picky is a skill gained throughout time.

"You learn that usually you can see your mistakes but others can't," said Mark Rexinger, of Lincoln, Neb., who is working on an eagle sculpture. "Maybe the other carvers can, but that's it."

Rick Burgess, of North Platte, Neb., did not start with any sketch in mind and still is not completely sure what he is making, but so far he has a feather and a horse with a mane.

"It's done with a chain saw. It doesn't have to be perfect," said Burgess, who described his style as Native American. "Everyone has different styles."

Dorman said his style is all about telling a story.

"I like to tell a story, but adding an artistic flow to it. I'm happy with it so far," Dorman said.

Robert Waits, of Lander, Wyo., has the style that first stands out. Last year, he did a sculpture of Jessica Rabbit, and this year, he is going off the same idea by making a "sexy cowgirl."

"I just always try to come up with different things, a little on the edge," Waits said. "A good artist always pushes the edge, but although there's only so much you can do."