|
 BIOGRAPHY:
Lawrence Spinak
I have
been interested in whittling since I was a pre-teenager. I
Started when in summer camp, carving objects out of bars of Ivory
soap. Progressed to whittling wooden neckerchief slides when a Boy
Scout.
I
didn't do much along these lines until my late 20's. Then got
interested in carving birds and ducks. Back in those days, the mid
1960's, the finished results of the bird/duck carvings were not as
elaborate as they are today. In fact, it's the great detail that is
done today that turned me off from continuing my interest in that
phase of the hobby.
I'm more of a "traditional" carver in that I feel
traditional carvers REPRESENT realism and many of today's
woodcarvers try to RECREATE realism. In my opinion, the former
requires artistic ability and the latter requires technical ability.
Keep in mind that this is just one person's opinion.
My true idols in the woodcarving art form are Oberammergau,
Tirolean, and Switzerland. However, since I'm not trained in that
school of carvers, I have to be content with just
WHITTLING.
It gives me great pleasure to pick up a knife and a piece of
good basswood and create a pleasing object. Whether it's a
"little guy"caricature, a ball-in-box or a love spoon. It's all
whittling and a lot of fun.
Whittling is one of the least expensive hobbies to
take on. My other interests (Hobbies) are Amateur Radio where
I'm K1CWZ and you can find me on 40 Mtrs CW/QRP, and photography,
where I do all of the photos of my carvings.
Since I retired from 30 years of Federal Civil Service in
1987 I have been enjoying all my hobbies. However, in 1990, I
did take a job as ships radio officer aboard a freighter and sailed
from California to China. Think that was the "highlight" of my
working career. Had a ball.
I
have taught whittling in various carving clubs in the past, but now
I'm just content to relax and whittle on my own. I generally
give my carvings away to friends and relatives but I do not
sell them. This is MY hobby and NOT a business.
I
hope to present some projects here on the web site for any and all
that would like to try their hand at whittling. Along the way,
if I can help or just inspire individuals to enjoy a wonderful,
satisfying hobby, I will be greatly pleased.
Happy Whittling.
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