DON’T BLEED ON THE WOOD!



Carved Lintel for Community Center Project

Some years ago, following my urge to cut carve and gouge, I became one of a group of apprentices participating in a Community Center Carving Project.    The group project was led by George Norris, a celebrated artist, sculptor and carver.   I longed to learn carving from a master and our task was to carve intricate details in yellow cedar posts which would serve as broad wooden lintels for doorways placed throughout the Community Center.  Before we were allowed to work on the lintels we were required to do a series of carving exercises on a block of wood. Once we learned and completed the exercises of carved wood patterns and George felt we were capable, we could then work on the yellow cedar posts.  George shared many insights with the group, from his rich career of carving, among which was an important lesson:  Don’t bleed on the wood as it penetrates the grain.  Unfortunately there is only one way to remove blood stains from wood and that is by removing the blood stained area, hence the wood itself. 

Blood Stained Number 7 Carving Tool

I learned this important lesson by experience while blood spurted wildly from a hand wound, caused by my ineptness with a lethal weapon aka “the number seven carving tool”.  I mention that it was a number seven so that anyone who is aware of carving tools can appreciate how hazardous this tool can be in the hands of a beginner. 

 

Anyone who can’t imagine the damage that it can cause may want to check out my scar, a rather large one, to validate this.

My Carving Exercise Block

As you might imagine I yelped a little when I stabbed my own hand, drawing the attention of the master carver who quickly came to my side to observe, not my wound, but the yellow cedar post where I had unknowingly leaked some blood. 

 

While I staunched the flow of blood as best I could, George quickly drew up a plan to remove the bloodied wood and in haste created an altered carving design to accommodate the removal of the bloodstain. 

 

There was no denying that my bloody wound came second to the importance of the lintel being carved. 

 

Artists and artisans often recall with fondness the words of wisdom from a mentor and for me the words I remember most fondly as my first words of professional advice were - DON’T BLEED ON THE WOOD!

Author:  Trish (BlackCrowCurios)

Link to George Norris Artist: http://app.vancouver.ca/PublicArt_net/ArtistDetails.aspx?ArtistID=86&ArtworkType=ALL&Neighbourhood=ALL&Ownership=ALL&Program=ALL

 

What words of wisdom do you recall from a mentor?

My Fitness Goal For 2013... Tough Mudder!

"Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. With the most innovative courses, 700,000 inspiring participants worldwide to date, and more than $5 million raised for the Wounded Warrior Project, Tough Mudder is the premier adventure challenge series in the world. "

My husband and I were talking about how we wanted to challenge ourselves physically this year, and have something that would motivate us to get into shape. One day as we were talking, he said "I want to do Tough Mudder!"  I looked him square in the eye and said "That's awesome, you should definitely do that!"  He looked me back in the eye and said "When I said I, I meant 'we'."  This continued back and forth, with him getting more and more excited and me calmly telling him he would have lots of fun, and I would definitely be there to cheer him on.

Over the next few weeks, my husband does everything he can to convince me, from just automatically assuming I will do it to including all of my friends in the invitation to getting our Crossfit coach to talk me into it.  The next thing I know, I am registering myself for Tough Mudder thinking "Oh my god what am I doing??" 

Despite the feeling of insanity I had after registering, there really were lots of positive reasons for making the final decision to do it.  First, it is completely a team event; the teams start together and finish together, helping each other along the way.  We challenge ourselves and each other but we don't compete within our teams.  Second, it is the first time I have ever done anything that physically challenging and that scares the crap out of me... don't ask me why that's a positive but it is!  And finally... everyone that has done it has said they have had fun doing it, which is the ultimate goal in any sporting event.

Curious to see what it's all about?  Check out this video, courtesy of the Tough Mudder Website.



Was I in shape when I made this commitment?  NO!  At least a year away from the gym due to chronic pain in my neck and shoulder, with sporadic exercise before that, so pretty much as week as a kitten. Am I training for this?  YES I am training for this, and training hard... while I realize it isn't a competition, I want to at least be able to finish the race!  We are currently doing Crossfit and running several days a week to get in shape, and I am sure our coach will ramp it up even more by the end of this month.

I am anxious, excited, terrified, exhilarated... so many emotions!  Definitely looking forward to keeping you all updated on my progress over the next few months!


Merry