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Mark Yundt
01-12-2010, 10:57 AM
I am a new member and wanted to say hello and introduce myself.

Since I'm new I may not be familiar with the proper procedures such as if links to my site and blog are not permissible. If so , I or someone here can delete them. But it's a quick way to see just what I'm involved in.
I have been a full time woodcarver for almost 20 yrs. with a broad range of carving projects and styles. I work by commission only so I don't have anything to directly sell to the public. So that's not my intention here. Selling.
My intention is carving. I love it. It's my vocation as well as my avocation. I work strictly with full size chisels to carve as I said, the broadest range of carvings. These things ( chisels) to me are just amazing in what they can do. And not knowing what my clients may need or want, these give me the ability to tackle any project. My projects range from high end private homes, universities, celebrities and churches.
My intention is to post my various projects as they come in,,give an outline of what I'm doing ,show some photo's, and answer any and all questions, but as I tend to "talk" a lot and the projects get involved I like to save them on the blog where some run into many pages and I like to keep them as a reference.
If this presents a problem let me know now as I said I'm not familiar with you're particular rules about such things.
And no,, I'm not here just to drive "eyes" to my blog or site. My blog is not set up as a source of income. I do it for free. I get no Pay Per Click or anything of that nature. And my site, Nothing there is for sale, it's all gone. It's strictly an on line photo album for clients around the country to see.
So why do I bother if I can't make a buck off it?
Along my journey there have been many who have been good to me in a variety of ways. I guess I'd have to say it's my way of "Paying it Forward"

Here is a quick example of a project that recently left my shop. It's for the face of a custom desk 5 ft wide, 30 inches high and 8 inches deep. Done in basswood yet to be finished as that will happen on site. I plan on a story showing start to finish on the blog. It's a Wisteria vine with the vines , leaves and flowers arching across the face of the desk, with the top extended to cover this carving.
Hope you enjoy it.
If so, I look forward to posting other projects as well if you, and time permits.

Doug Duffield
01-12-2010, 1:33 PM
It's good to see you here, Mark. You are a great asset to any forum, as you bring a wealth of knowledge - that you share!

Mark Yundt
01-12-2010, 3:00 PM
Thanks Doug,,nice to see a familiar face. I don't know if it's a wealth of knowledge but I can share things I find that seem to work. And I don't have a problem sharing. As far as being an asset,, I hope I don't end up as the first half of that word...LOL

Joel Ficke
01-12-2010, 4:23 PM
Beautiful / inspirational Mark. I look forward to sharing and learning from your work.

Mark Yundt
01-12-2010, 5:48 PM
Thank you Joel,,right back at you! Wow,,what a website,talk about beautiful and inspirational. I may want to rethink my posting here. Something tells me I have found some kindred spirits here as opposed to other sites I have visited.
What gives me the feeling I can say full size tools and Acanthus leaves in the same sentence without being slapped down and drug across the carpet as if I yelled "FIRE" in a crowded theater that wasn't on fire?
Can I even be so bold as to suggest securing a carving before working on it? If so,, I'm getting light headed and giddy for imagining such heretical thought because one of the things that made me stop and register was the fact that someone actually said it on a post!. LOL....You don't know what I've been through...

Barry Bruner
01-12-2010, 7:19 PM
Your work is out of this world. It would be rather nice to have you around. Barry Bruner

Philip Allin
01-12-2010, 7:29 PM
Your experience and insights as a woodcarver should be a great asset to this site. Thanks for your suggestion that I look in. Phil

Phillip Bogle
01-12-2010, 9:02 PM
I don't know what you have been through, but I can imagine. To the selection of tools and work, well I always believe in the finished product as the canon. I have seen fantastic work produced by artisans using their teeth to hold the brush. Simple deviation from the norm did not tarnish the result. For the record I think your work is exciting. I can only wish.

I have (can not say use -- craftsmen use) Henry Taylor (Acorn) full size tools, I tend to like the palm size though I am uncertain why. I know that I am looking forward to your posting. There are many members you are likely to find kindred spirits, also peers in the craft -- I am NOT one of them. I can only appreciate the skill, perceptive eye that you possess and reflect in the wood.

Welcome aboard!
Phil B.

Mark Yundt
01-13-2010, 12:10 AM
Thank you one and all for the warm welcome, I really appreciate the wonderful comments as well.
Considering the range of work I have seen so far I am looking forward to "meeting" other members and having more time to look around and become more familiar with the site.
I do have some interesting upcoming work. Currently I'm only working on the restoration of 8 full size statuary that will get shipped around the country. They're plaster so they don't count. But it's another facet to my work that I find interesting , fun and rewarding.
Phil, good to see you here as well.
Phil does some great work and I'm sure you'll get a kick out of seeing some of his pieces.
If deviating from the norm includes full size chisels... then I'm a profound DEVIANT! I just wish I could make them do all I know they are capable of. Ahhh,, isn't that the curse we all live with? Maybe if we all share our tricks of the trade we can lift the curse if not get just a bit closer to reaching our carving dreams.
Thanks guys.

Ah,,there, I got the link to my site. Now is there a way to also link to my blog as well?

Dave McGeehan
01-13-2010, 9:30 AM
Beautiful work, Mark! I look forward to seeing more of your carvings and being inspired by your work as I have by so many of the generous people I've met through Sawmill Creek.

Joel Ficke
01-13-2010, 10:59 AM
Thanks for the kind words in return Mark. I think you'll like it here. There's a lot of talent without the ego. IMO folks tend to think before responding and genuinely try to make the forum a place where we can all learn from each other. Be sure to check out the other forums on the creek as well.

FWIW - I find Randall Rosenthal's work mind-blowing. Do a search for his posts and see what you think.

Kevin Adams
01-13-2010, 11:45 AM
Mark, thanks for introducing yourself. I checked out your site and your work is incredible and inspiring, especially to a relatively new carver as myself. Please continue to post photos of work-in-progress and completed work as it will add so much to all of us. I wish I was closer to you as I'd love to be a bug on the wall some time, watching as you created one of your masterpieces...

Take care,
Kevin

randall rosenthal
01-14-2010, 10:56 AM
mark...really excellent professional work!!! dont be shy about directing people to your site. its what the internet is all about. the more people that see your work the better.

my theory is "pats on the head, free publicity, and dinner invitations always accepted".

again.....really nice.

Mark Yundt
01-14-2010, 1:33 PM
Hi Randall ,
Gee, thanks, considering the work I've seen on your site as well. You left me scratching my head. Now I have a bald spot! Really cool pieces and a GREAT imagination! Love it!
Oh, I'm not shy, I just don't want anyone to think I'm here just to direct people there. I'm here to participate when and where I can. I'll post all sorts of jobs big and small and hopefully something will strike someones fancy. And not all the jobs are fancy ,,,some are pretty boring but might prove useful to someone. And at other times some are just really cool I think.
Now my site is ( according to me) dated in some respects. Many of the photo's are grainy because they originate from my 35 mm days and I haven't posted much of my more recent work there. But I do have a blog ,( since I shouldn't be shy) where I have new pieces as well as the start of archives of other projects. If your interested in some other work you can find it at
www.woodcarvingblog.wordpress.com (http://www.woodcarvingblog.wordpress.com)
I started it with a woman from Germany who has been carving for just about 3 yrs now named Doris. One day I'll meet her. But we do share a love of carving and similar philosophies.
But there you can see my ( and her) galleries as well as other stories of projects we work on. Hopefully you'll enjoy that as well. Now If I can find a way to link it ,,we'll be all set.

Calvin Hobbs
01-15-2010, 12:08 PM
Mark,

Incredible work, and I spent too much time on your blog as well. Great step by step. I love to see the old traditional carving art being performed. Are you familiar with Boris Khechoyan in St. Louis, another great carver?

I have done some carving as it pertains to American period furniture and I find your work inspirations.

On another note - I went to Lehigh (in Bethlehem ) and lived on the South side for a few years. I get back every year or two to go the big Lehigh/lafayette football game. Maybe next Nov. I will come check you out.

Thanks, Cal

Mark Yundt
01-15-2010, 2:35 PM
Thanks Calvin. I'd love to see some examples of your work.
I googled Boris and he certainly is a talented guy! Great stuff.

Ahh,, Lehigh. I live about 5 minutes from the campus at the opposite end of S Bethlehem. Now , instead of the Bethlehem Steel across from me it's now morphed into the Sands Casino. Still looks odd to me. Bought my house at 19..been here ever since. You're welcome to stop in whenever you're in the neighborhood. Lehigh/Lafayette,,I believe that's one of the oldest rivalries in the country. For all I know it has something to do with football. That's the pointy ball, right?