“OPEN WORKSHOP”    Keith Mueller
June 7^th-12^th    $650 & Materials Fee

    Just as in any artistic “quest”, the bird carver/sculptor must “compose” their thoughts & skills into a methodical approach with their carving techniques to achieve a successful outcome.  An artist can only be successful with their composition if every component of the design was completed correctly to facilitate each successful component.  This can begin with the overall design of the species to the most important: surface preparation of the woods finish.  The study of a feathers structure & surface composition is often overlooked & reproduced with “generalized” techniques.  Accurate feather reproduction is an essential component for each individual species & for the overall sculptures design.  To create a “faithful” & natural portrayal of the bird species with paint can be a frustrating task.  Besides our skills with the application of the paint, the paint selection itself can be confusing.  Each feather group or individual feather that is technically created can & will impact the overall look of the sculpture, & often a “well carved” feather can be lost during the painting process. 

    In this class, I will work with you individually & collectively to help you build your skills in all the components of bird composition.  Starting with a clay composition, I will show you how to “build a bird” in clay using my special method of “wood components” & forming a pleasing anatomical composition.  You can continue with designing a complete composition, or select any or all of the other lessons.  Next, we will focus on the important step of wood preparation & surface finish to facilitate carved feather reproduction.  “Your painting will only be as good as the surface under it!”  Theory & close-up examination of the feathers structure & “species specific” surface composition will be discussed.  Accurate feather reproduction will be demonstrated using correct techniques such as stoning, burning, smooth, or combinations.  Many carvers freeze at the thought of painting their sculpture.  To some, the issue of paint & painting is a monumental task & one that is often performed with less than enthusiastic application.  We will discuss fully the many types of paint & their application in your art with hands-on procedures. 

    You can select any or all of the segments of this class.  We will utilize tupelo “study boards” for all feather techniques in carving or painting.  You are encouraged to bring with you to class any bird that you are working on as your subject bird for these techniques.  All painting techniques will be shown using acrylics &/or oils including brush painting & airbrushing; your preference.  I will also show you my favorite painting techniques using Absolute Matte acrylics & Old Holland oil paints.  Please let me know the species of bird that you will bring to class to work on so I can prepare in advance.  Hawks, woodpeckers, & waterfowl are wonderful species to learn techniques from & ones that I suggest (but not limit to) for this class.

    The “composition in clay” section of this class can be an entire class for those of you who are sculptors, bronze artists, or just love to work with clay.  It is a fabulous exercise & asset for anyone interested in improving their art or looking to work out their design prior to putting it in wood or bronze.  It is designed to make you think “artistically” rather than structurally.  It will help you become artistically aware of shapes & color & how to compose your next design utilizing “visual dynamics”. The species that I have selected have exciting & interesting anatomical & environmental features that will ignite creativity in your designing of the composition & for those of you who wish to continue into my second seminar & execute the piece in wood include the life sized Pileated Woodpecker &/or Acorn Woodpecker, Toucans of any variety, Woodcock , Ring-necked Pheasant, ¾ size Red-tailed Hawk, ¾ size Great Blue Heron, ¾ size Sandhill Crane, Mallard Duck, Black Duck, Old Squaw, or Canvasback Duck.  All wooden components, armature wire, soft clay, & reference material will be available here for you once we know your species chosen.

 

TRADITIONAL “CLASSIC” HUNTING DECOY PAIR or “PHOTOGRAPHERS DECOYS”    Keith Mueller
June 14^th-19^th     $650 & $50-$100 Blank Fee

    Carve & paint a traditional style hunting decoy pair or a Hawk, Woodcock, or Woodpecker “photographers decoy”.  Experience the timeless paint methods faithfully represented of the decoy masters such as Shang Wheeler, Elmer Crowell, & Gus Wilson; methods which Keith employs to this day, in his traditional hunting decoys as well as his contemporary competition grade & his “photographers decoys” which will include more carving & painting.  These “photographers decoys” are what Keith carves & uses (such as Toucans, Macaws, Parrots, Hawks, etc.) when in the tropical rain & cloud forests of Costa Rica to “lure” these species of exotic birds into camera range. 

    From the list included, you will carve & paint the species of your choice using the corresponding painting techniques & methods.  Using the simplistic & traditional “plumage pattern” style of paint design, Keith will guide you through the theory & painting process utilizing two methods: traditional paint replication in oil paint, or “simulated- in use wear” using acrylic based paints or (Ronan) Japan oil paint.  Paint methods in oils such as “head-scratching, combing, blending, shuttle-blending, stippling”, & others will be utilized.  If you choose the “simulated-in use wear ” style decoy in acrylic or Japan oil paint, similar painting methods will be used, including simple, yet effective techniques to add age & “character” to the decoy.  The duck decoys will be carved & constructed as actual “shootin’ stool” hunting decoys which will be hollowed, keeled, floated, & balanced ready to add to your own hunting rig, not just working “tools” but also projecting “floating art & sculpture”.  If you are carrying over from my previous “techniques” workshop, you can select either style of decoy(s); the “traditional pair” of duck decoys, woodcock, or woodpecker pair using simplified & functional methods, or a single bird which can include a more decorative approach.  The Hawk, Woodpecker, & Woodcock “photographers decoys” will be a single bird with more advanced carving & painting techniques.  If you wish to make your Hawk, Woodpecker, or a “classic” decoy with traditional techniques, a pair can be completed.  All paint & aging supplies (if selected) will be furnished for you to use or you can bring your own paints if you wish.  The suggested decoy species will include the Pileated Woodpecker &/or Acorn Woodpecker, Toucans of any variety, Woodcock, Ring-necked Pheasant, ¾ size Red-tailed Hawk, ¾ size Great Blue Heron, ¾ size Sandhill Crane, Mallard Duck, Black Duck, Old Squaw, or Canvasback Duck.       

***If you choose to take both Mueller seminars, you will also get a $50 discount =$1250. The Open Workshop Concept lends itself well to 5 times World Champ Keith Mueller’s approach to teaching.  This affords you the student 2 full weeks of study to take a piece from clay to completion or focus on whatever special needs you have.  You can choose a subject other than those included above.  Keith will work out with each of you your goals for this class & guide you in meeting your expectations. 

 

“CARVING & PAINTING A MINIATURE GREAT HORNED OWL”   Cam Merkle
June 22^nd -27^th   $650 & $25 Blank Fee

    Join Cam Merkle, well known world class Canadian carver & teacher & owner of Razaire & Razertip Industries as seen in his back cover ad in Wildfowl Carving magazine, in carving a miniature Great Horned Owl.  One of the most ferocious birds in the world, the “Great Horned Owl” is easily recognized by its large size and long "ear tufts". The Great Horned Owl's distinctive facial features, silky smooth plumage and cryptic color pattern make this a challenging subject for carvers.  You will learn all carving, texturing, and painting techniques to complete an approximately 1/3 life-size (7" tall) owl.

    The first three days of this class will focus on establishing and carving realistic shapes with particular emphasis on the facial features. Only minimal texturing using round stones or ceramic sticks is necessary because of the silky nature of the Great-horned Owl's plumage. The last 3 days will be spent painting the varied and complex silk-like plumage, using only brushes (no airbrushing).  We fully expect to have the carving completed in the first 3 days, however, resin studycasts will be available to paint if you are unable to fully complete the carving stage.

    The Owl will be carved from a band-sawn Northern Basswood blank and painted with acrylic paints (Absolute Matte & Jo Sonja's).  Dozens of little tricks, tips, and "trade-secrets" will be shared throughout the course. The primary focus in this class will be on basic skills, making it ideal for beginner to intermediate level carvers, but more advanced carvers will also benefit from Cam's teaching, especially on the painting. Some of the many topics covered will include use of patterns and other reference, establishing accurate shapes, owl anatomy, feather sculpting and texturing, achieving lifelike feathers, and realism and translucency in painting. Power tools will be used extensively for this project. Other topics including making feet, habitat and composition will be covered as time permits.  To learn more about Cam, go to www.razertip.com.

 
“CARVING A SMOOTHIE SHOREBIRD”   Bob Berry
August 3^rd-7^th   $600 & $30 Blank Fee

    Bob Berry is not just known as the granddaddy of fish carving but is making a name for himself in bird carving.  At the Ward World 2008 Championships he cleaned house by sweeping 1^st, 2^nd, & 3^rd places in the Decorative Smoothie Shorebirds & Wading Birds Division of the Smoothie Competition.  He is also the author of “Introduction to Fish Carving” & several other books over the years.  With Bob you will be investigating the art of the smoothie shorebird. 

    We will do two shorebirds- the Killdeer & the Solitary Sandpiper.  Our primary bird will be a Killdeer.  One day will be spent carving and we'll spend two days painting.  Our second shorebird will be a Solitary Sandpiper which we will spend one day carving and one day painting.  The blanks will be of Jelutong with glass eyes & painted with acrylic paints.  No airbrushing in this class.  The focus of this seminar will be the finer details of carving a smoothie shorebird that will put you in the winners' circle.  Bob has a way of boiling something down to its’ simplest form.  Painting is Bob’s specialty.  He will help you to sharpen your hand painting skills & make painting suddenly much easier.  So, if painting is a challenge for you, then make this seminar a priority & I think you will paint easier afterwards. Let's have some fun! To view more of Bob’s work, go to www.bobberryfishcarvings.com.

 

 LAKE SUPERIOR FISHING CHARTER WITH BOB BERRY & JEFF COMPTON
August 8^th  Optional Fun Approx $100 each

 

“CARVING & PAINTING A PUMPKINSEED SUNFISH”    Jeff Compton
August 9^th-14^th   $650 & $25 Blank Fee

    Fish carving is back at the Krausman’s with 2007 World Fish Carving Championships’ Best in World Decorative Miniatures Champion Jeff Compton.  Please join Jeff in carving & painting a 9” Pumpkinseed Sunfish.  Jelutong will be used for the body and tupelo for the fins.  Some of the challenges covered in this project will include carving and attaching some of the fins prior to painting and attaching the rest afterwards.  Scaling is another in which there will be a two stage process of first grinding in the shapes and then refining them with wood burning.  Also, you will focus on how to make pan fish look full and rounded rather than flat.  The eyes will be carved into the wood and painted instead of using glass eyes.  The Sunfish will be carved and made ready to paint in the first three days. 

    The next two days will be spent painting this colorful fish using a combination of airbrushing and hand painting techniques.  There will be a mixture of acrylics, oil paint sticks, and Wildlife Colors Airbrush Paints to paint the fish with.  The studio is airbrush ready.  If you have a silent compressor and would rather use that, bring it along also.  There will be airbrushes available to use and try if you do not own one.  The airbrush paint will be supplied.  The final day will be used to wrap up the painting and put the piece together using habitat items made prior to class and then finished up in class with Jeff’s guidance.  Jeff will have a study cast available for purchase.  He will also be sending out instructions for creating the habitat items for the base.

 

“BELTED KINGFISHER”    Gary Eigenberger
August 17^th -24^th     $800 & $35 Blank Fee

    Please join the 2006 Ward World Miniatures Champion & the 2008 Ward World Masters Miniatures 1^st, 2^nd, & 3^rd Best of Show, Masters Lifesize 2^nd & 3^rd Best of Show, 3^rd in World Miniatures, 2nd in World Lifesize, & 3^rd Peoples Choice in doing a full size Belted Kingfisher.   The Belted Kingfisher will be a 10” bird with habitat in a slightly animated pose.  The feet will be carved into the base with brass toes inserted into the feet.  This piece will be different as Gary will teach you how to carve the bird & habitat all in one piece with feet & attitude.  It will have a raised crest & the bird will be carved as part of a branch.  Glass eyes will be used along with tupelo blanks.  Combination stoning & burning will be used to suggest little groups of feathers   There are different kinds of feather patterns in this bird which will be dealt with in both the texturing & painting.  Hard edge feathers like flight feathers will be done with a pen while the belly & sides of the face will be done with stoning.  Topics stressed will include feather layout, texturing, & woodburning. 

    In painting the bird, Gary will focus on preparing the surface for painting, mixing colors, oil painting which will include wet on wet & wet on dry blending techniques, & soft translucent painting techniques. Gary will be using acrylics as well as oils in painting this bird.  So you can be an oil or acrylic painter to take this class.  To get feather patterns & their richness, translucency or softness, Gary complements actual textures from his burning tools with the illusion of highlights & shadows with oil pigments. He shows you how to play warm & cool colors against each other to suggest feathers under feathers & to mass in a color & create details from negative space.  Gary is the well deserved recipient of many awards in every category at the Ward World Championships.  To view Gary’s art go to www.garyeigenberger.com

 

“CARVING, DETAILING, & PAINTING A GREEN-WINGED TEAL HEN SMOOTHIE/GUNNING DECOY”Pat Godin
August 30^th – Sept 5^TH    $800 & $50 Blank Fee

    The subject for this seminar with 10 times World Champion Pat Godin is the interesting species, the Green-winged Teal hen. During the carving of this smoothie decoy the character & anatomy of this bird will be examined extensively. There will be emphasis on feather sculpting & an appropriate level of detail incorporated into the surface. In addition the students will carve a highly detailed bill.

    The development of the rich, soft colors of this hen will be explored. Students will learn Pat's techniques for methodically building colors and values to duplicate the complex patterns of hen feathers. Methods of creating definition as well as translucence with these colors will be shown. Several blending techniques include stipple blending, wet on wet blending & airbrushing will be learned at this session. Pat will use slides as well as demonstrations in a comprehensive fashion to aid him in teaching his innovative techniques. Each student will receive an image CD showing in detail the entire project of the seminar. www.godinart.com.   

 

“LIFESIZE MANTLING SAWWHET OWL WITH PREY IN FALL LEAVES”   Floyd Scholz
Sept. 14^th-23^rd -  $1000

    Students of all skill levels are invited to join Floyd Scholz here in carving for a full 10 days a life size Sawwhet Owl mantling over a mouse which it has captured in the fall leaves.  Floyd hopes to both stimulate & challenge you as he strives to promote & foster a better understanding & appreciation for the fine art of bird carving through comprehensive in-depth technical instruction on all aspects of bird carving, painting, design, composition, & color harmony.  His attention to detail will be promoted in his intensive study of the bird through research & reference material.  In the carving aspect, he will focus on developing the feather patterns, feather groups, rough shaping, burning, stoning, & fine carving techniques.  You will learn his style for the layout of the eyes & bill.  Painting with acrylics, the student will receive instruction on every aspect of the art form.  Full painting techniques will include both airbrush & brush, preparing birds for painting, color theory & use of washes.  You will make a base with prey for habitat.    www.vermontraptoracademy.com

 

FOR THE SPOUSES;   The quilting projects for 2009 will include a choice of two McKenna Ryan paperpieced wallhangings of either a Log Cabin Scene or the Canada Goose.   Quilting fee will include instruction, kit, breakfast, & lunch for $150.