simplelifewoodcarvings.com

Kirk January 7th, 2007

We have somehow been “pre-programmed ” to believe that everything happens for a reason. This has become “normal” thought for the explanation to every problem.
How many times has something, good or bad, happened in our lives but the word “why” didn’t transpire mentally??
How much time , do you suppose, the animals , birds, and fish spend asking “why”?
We question ourselves by answering” but we are not animals”. How correct we are to
answer in such a manner! But you see ……. the real “simplicity” of reasoning herein lies!
Nature never seems to be ready to lie down and quit. It has a certain rythm to it’s pattern.

I’ve been able to question myself with these thoughts , in the persuit of direction and meaning! I always seemed to fall just short of what really mattered in life. And it was then I asked myself “does everything happen for a reason”? Personally , I believe some things do . When I discovered that I could take a chunk of wood and make something visually pleasing to look at………. it changed my outlook on life. Things that I’d never payed any attention to before, seemed to jump out at me! Instead of feeling ” worthless” I felt as though there was purpose. Through purpose we find direction and importance in our lives. I believe that we can spend to much time on finding the reason for something , and miss the true meaning of each situation in life. So…….. the ” reason” for something often time becomes the only focus on a situation.

We all are built to contribute to a cause……… and that cause is life! You don’t have to be a wood-carver or even an artist , you just have to be ” You”. Because everyone has “potential-purpose”in their life! Never think of yourself as worthless!! Because we are not worthless. This beautiful world was put here for us to enjoy and live in harmony together. Never quit! Always pursue your dreams. They may not always happen in the time that we have alotted them to happen , but if we keep on trying they will take their place in our life when the time is right! Persistance is “The Reason For”.

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Kirk December 4th, 2006

Nature teaches us some valuable lessons………. some are easy lessons while others are not so easy to learn. We can be taught a few of these lessons from the trees. Each tree has purpose and direction. You see…… direction is something that is not so easily obtained! At some point in life we have to step back and assess our position with our own lives! Where we stand, how we intend to get there, and how long it should take.

When I started my wood carvings, I had drive and lots of desire! My direction was however………. off! I soon realized that I was not a wood carver because I carved wood…………………. I carved wood because I was a wood carver. Your directives need to be in the right place first with life and all it’s gifts. We shouldn’t become titles because we act out certain roles! We should live our lives because of who we are as individuals.

Now , as far as the lessons learned from trees…………. they also sustain life. They give us air to breath through the photosynthesis process, they give life to our little animal and bird friends, and they give us beauty for our world!! So we as a people should be ever so mindful to effect others in the same way. My wood carvings have allowed me the opportunity to give something of myself to this life. You can give a part of yourself to this life by tapping into that part of your heart that is creative! You have talents and gifts that will manifest themselves if you allow yourself the freedom to do so. Don’t allow yourself to be dragged down by ” negative feed”!! Let’s give to each other like the trees have given to us.

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Kirk November 22nd, 2006

What is it that causes an individual to want to create something? Whether it is artistic, mechanical, electrical, or constructive? I believe that it is human nature to follow a pattern, if you will, of possibly the “search”of truth! Can the truth be found in this life? Personally I do believe that it is made to be found within ourselves! Each person in life, is given certain specifics ( talents) to discover when the time is right.

I can speak for myself and say that it takes time to discover certain gifts and talents. Wood carvings have been one thing that I’ve treasured in my life thus far! Wood carvings put me in touch with the things in life that really have true meaning. There is a sense of “innocence” to wood as a workable medium. A tree will spend years working toward a certain pattern of growth in which to become a work of art.

Creativity By Kirk Patterson

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Kirk November 21st, 2006

All artists seem to represent themselves to some extent, through their artwork. Some artists bring out an emotional , mental, or even spiritual response from the viewer or even the critic. I suppose my wood carvings seem to bring more of an emotion to the surface of my viewers. That may be contributed to there being alot of emotional pull toward nature by most people. Each piece I carve seems to bring out a part of me that I never knew existed before.

I find that when I begin work on a piece of wood… I find myself actually visualizing what the little critter’s actions and life consists of. For example: If I am carving a fish, I try and in vision what they may experience under the water’s surface. Would they be in pursuit of food, looking for structure, or just taking a lull? With a vision, it actually aids in my ability to carve more successfully.

My woodcarvings are a part of my senses in some ways. You see… I had the benefit of growing up out doors. I spent all of the time I could, as a kid, out in the woods or on the water. In nature, wild creatures seem to be relatively unchanged. They, unlike us, already have a program in which they follow daily. We as a people seem to be more subject to change, more often than not. That may constitute for allot of the emotional breakdowns in the world.

This is why I deem it a privilege and not so much a job, to have the ability to carve! There is nothing more gratifying to me to work from start to finish on my wood carvings. During the process… at start up, I’m always in such anticipation to see where I’ll take myself! I always take a little trip with the wood carving itself. And by the time the finish-work is complete… I get the most satisfying feeling of accomplishment.

My goal is to always try to add a little more beauty to the world with my woodcarvings. I remember when I first started carving ………….. I worked on a piece to be a fish. I actually did it to give the people, at a local Marina, something to laugh at and get a kick out of. But the people did not respond like I’d expected. It was just the opposite. They seemed to love it! And it was just that encouragement from my wife and the people, that seemed to light a fire for me to move forward.

Well… my point is simple…people need to be encouraged. My woodcarvings are a sheer result of real encouragement. And now, years later, I’ve gained the confidence needed to become successful with my wood carvings. Every artist develops a typical style with his or her artwork. When people look at various works of art, they can often recognize the artist who created it. I suppose my style would be recognized by typical markings on my wood carvings. I tend to lean more toward a touch of rustic and country.

I want my wood carvings to be representative of what I believe in.
And that would be the “old pioneer ways” of life! Every time I carve or craft anything I’m reminded of the old pioneers. They are the people that paved the way through droughts, pests, diseases, starvation, and death for us to have a better life now. If you’ve ever work with various types of tools, then you probably have the old timers to thank for their ingenious craftsmanship of forging out these tools for us. Their old ways of crafting homes, tools, barns, wagons, and even wood carvings is one reason we have certain things today!

I have several old tools purchased from different antique shops that I use now. Each time I use one while carving, I often wonder about the story behind that tool. ” Whose hands used this draw-knife”? ” Did they, maybe, use it on their woodcarvings”?

You have heard it said” you can’t live in the past”. I think I enjoy living in the ” present-past”! I hope that people will enjoy my wood carvings for years to come, And perhaps, years from now, they will recognize my work and be reminded of why I was a wood carver!

by Kirk Patterson

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