Alec Lacasse comes to Temperance, Michigan to Teach

Posted on by nateelarton

Alec Lacasse, wood sculptor, instructor, and musician came last weekend to Temperance, MI. Alec taught a face-carving seminar for 4 hours. We had 12 guys and we all had a great time, learned a lot, and enjoyed this young man and gifted teacher. If you can ever take any instruction with Alec, live or online, I highly recommend it. I have taken lessons with him and to have him here teaching was so great. He is an amazing individual. He stayed and also sang a few songs at our church. Check out his work, schedule, or get a lesson at Alec Lacasse’s Website Alec taught us more than woodcarving, but so much more through his character and music. Thanks Alec!

Alec Performs at Compelled Church
12 Men learned so much from Alec
Alec Lacasse and Nate Elarton
Alec Lacasse and Nate Elarton

Black Friday Carving

Posted on by nateelarton

I finished this guy I call “Deep Sleep”. I tried to pay more attention to the detail in the neck for more realism. I used a pic to help.

I did end up winning the blue ribbon and white (1st and 3rd) at the Bedford Arts show in the sculpting/ceramic/glass catagory. I was pleasanlty surprised that the “Four Face” won the Blue. The Chief took 3rd. I think the amazing grain in the wood that popped when I applied the finished sort of washed out the detail.

I had a lot of Christmas carving plans and it’s black Friday already. I will enjoy doing my best. It’s all fun and I don’t put pressure on myself that would steal the joy of carving.

Make time to create. TV is all the same, screens get old, and creating in whatever medium you enjoy, art, music, drawing, painting, carving, ceramics, scuplting, pyrography, is better for you heart, mood, and emotions than you know. I have found, that once I get out to the shop and get started, I never regret it. Getting started is the challenge. Keep creating friends.

2019 Bedford Arts Show, Temperance, mI

Posted on by nateelarton

I put 3 carvings in the art show this year. I dropped them off today. I have been working on them on and off for the last few months, the last several months for the chief. The piece I call “Four Face” was carved out of cottonwood bark gifted to me from the great carver Alec Lacasse . He has been a great help to me, as teacher, coach, and friend. I’ll let you know if a nab a ribbon or not.

Entered into Art Show
Four Face

Why I love wood carving

Posted on by nateelarton

I love woodcarving. Since that first time I held a chisel in 2007 in Newport TN when Marty Eddinger encouraged me to “give it a try.” I connected emotionally with carving.  I have never considered myself an “artist” but I know I am.   I love music. It moves me.  I create weekly messages to communicate Christ to the church I pastor.   That is a form of art.  I am attracted to creativity, even though i am an “8” on the enneagram I am often a #4.

I love creating. I love the “shop”. I love the smell, the space, the feel i get when I walk into my shop.  The wood, the past are, the music/podcasts I play. I love it.  I love the friends I have made, the ones I carve with.  I love the fellowship when I carve alone.  I mean God is the greatest creator.

I often chuckle at those that “poke” at me for carving, saying they don’t have that kind of time. Well, I know we make time for what we love. People are sitting too much. I know most people watch a couple hours of T.V. a day. I don’t watch that much.  I don’t hunt, or fish much, hate golf, but I love wood. I am loving the creating, artistic side better.  There is just something about working with your hands.

Cardiovascular disease is the western worlds biggest killer, with stress being one of the main contributing factors. Creativity seems to be the ultimate stress buster, and artists have an ability to move effortlessly from the analytical left brain mode into the sublime right brain creative mindset, dissolving stress in the process. “Being in the zone” refers to that magical state of being completely engaged in something to the point of a near meditative state. This single-minded immersion is like being on autopilot, totally in control without consciously thinking about the process.

Picasso once said, “when I enter the studio, I leave my physical body at the door “. I too feel like that.

I love the learning involved. I have learned to carve. It’s not a gift. I have to read, study, take lessons, practice and fail. I love it all.

Woodcarving my not be your thing, but something is and it’s not watching cable and Netflix all the time. Learn an art, an instrument, a hobby and enjoy it. Woodsculpting is a gift from God to me and I am thankful.

Guy in butternut from the 40’s with ears.

Posted on by nateelarton

I’m not quite done with this guy. I have been avoiding him because I have not detailed ears much. A carver messaged me on instagram encouraging me to do ears. I did them and now I know I can do full busts with ears. They are tricky and I have more practice to go to perfect them. Butternut is a trick wood, as the grain chips. I love the look. I’ll be finishing this and will post the final pics.

Ears in Butternut

Posted on by nateelarton

I have been challenged by a fellow carver to work on ears so I started this bust in wonderful butternut with the goal of carving ears below the cap.  I have another bust I am attempted ears. They are harder than I thought.  I will persevere and learn. I want to be able to do it.  It’s one of the next steps to being  better carver.