Wood Whisperer: My Woodcarving Journey: Wood Whisperer, #2

By Josef Peeters

Continuing my self-taught journey into woodcarving. Exploring the methodology and thought processes involved in producing commissions and exhibit pieces.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Josef Peeters
• Release date: Aug 30, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386619727

Josef Peeters

Josef Peeters, born in Dusseldorf Germany, in 1961, immigrated with his parents and two brothers to Australia in 1964. He became a naturalised Australian soon after his eighteenth birthday. After a lacklustre education spent in numerous schools across Queensland, Josef left at age fifteen to begin work as an assistant projectionist in the original Regent Theatre in Brisbane, before it became a multi-screen complex. Josef has followed artistic pursuits in performance, literary, and sculptural genres without ever gaining success or notoriety in any field. He now continues to write and self-publish for his own benefit and pleasure while maintaining a Caravan Park business with his second wife at Moulamein NSW, Australia.

Book preview

Wood Whisperer

My Woodcarving Journey

Volume 2

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Josef Peeters

Copyright © 2017 Josef Peeters

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

without the express written permission of the publisher

except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Published by Josef Peeters

Author’s website:

http://lakesidecaravanpark.wixsite.com/josef

Edited by:

Sarah Farrugia

HEARTT Writing & Editing

[e-mail] / + 61 417 527 123

DEDICATION

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Only one dedication is possible when it comes to my art-

-Sandy.

My partner, my inspiration, my mentor and friend.

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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A book does not evolve into an enjoyable conveyance of entertainment without the aid of a commendable editor.

Sarah Farrugia has transformed several of my creations with her fastidious and intelligent editing. I cannot express high enough praise for her energies and skill on my behalf.

Introduction

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The title, Wood Whisperer, paints a picture of extraordinary powers, usually attributable to Robert Redford types, in gaining compliance from difficult subjects. Let me assure you that I do not ascribe to any such powers, nor do I possess even a modicum of the extreme patience exhibited by the true Horse Whisperer depicted in the film of the same name. This tongue-in-cheek title refers to an understanding I have nourished within me for my chosen craft, and the affinity I have discovered in myself, for wood. Anyone who truly knows me will attest to the fact that I am more self-deprecating than boastful when it comes to my art.

In Volume 1, I outlined my general philosophy regarding my wood carving style. That being, To produce a pleasing, recognisable shape, thereafter, allowing the magnificence of the wood to take precedence . That simply means that I do not go into a great amount of detail in my carvings, preferring a stylised, simplistic, approach that shows off the glorious grains, colours and textures of wood.

I also touched on the fact that you do not need to be a Rembrandt or a Michelangelo to begin woodcarving. I am practically incompetent when it comes to line drawings, and would never have the nerve to take a drawing class. I have no perception of how to obtain depth in a drawing or painting, yet I can visualise a three-dimensional figure in a block of wood intuitively. I have an ability to 'see' into an odd lump of wood to find the spirit within. Not as mystical as it sounds I promise. I mean I can find the shape as dictated by the wood, as opposed to forcing whatever vision I desire, from any wood available to me at the time.

You do not need to read Volume 1 to continue reading this book. I merely pointed out the premise by which I began writing the three-part series. All three volumes will stand alone with entirely different carvings depicted therein. They do not list my creations in any sort of chronological order or follow any certain pattern within each