Frequently Asked Questions
These are some of the questions I frequently get asked. If you cannot find what you are looking for, contact me through the Contact Form available under the "Home" tab and I will try to help. Lot's of answers can be found on the "Tips & Hints" pages. As this list grows, I will categorize the questions.
What is Gesso?
Gesso is a paste made by mixing glue with plaster of Paris, gypsum or whiting and is used as a base for painting on canvas or wood. It is useful for several kinds of applications because it can be textured, sanded smooth or carved. It can be applied thick (if it is to be carved or used to fill cracks) or thinned with water for a thin, smooth coat. Gesso serves as a good bonding agent because it is absorbent for both oil and water based coatings.
How long does it take to carve a ________?
Any carver who has displayed or demonstrated at a show has been asked this question. The answer is "As long as it takes!". No two carvers will take the same amount of time to do the same carving... some are too picky, some aren't picky enough! I don't keep track of the time I spend on a carving because I jump around from carving to carving to burning to turning, etc. I just answer with a guess. Not high enough to scare away a potential carver, not so low that they think the price is too high. Who knows, I may be right.
What kind of wood is that?
I usually have a pretty good idea of what kind of wood i"m carving on, but sometimes it is just a piece of hardwood from the woodpile and I ain't sure what it is. If I know, I'll tell them. If not, I'll tell them what I think it is or what it is close to. There is no way I know what kind of wood the pallet maker used that day or what the gnarly piece of driftwood started out as!
