How’s winter feeling for you now?  Good whittling weather, huh?  We’ve had a bit of cool fishing weather, the ice crappies are swirling below the hole, the fire’s crackling on the lake surface, and all’s well in Minnesota!  Don’t forget to come in off the lake for our Saturday meeting:

February Meeting:       

Sculpture and Bronze Casting
by Scott Nelson

February 17, 2007

Redeemer Lutheran Church
9:00 - 11:00

With his focus on sculpture, Scott Nelson is also trained as a graphic designer and illustrator. He received a BA degree in fine art and art education from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa; then he moved to the Twin Cities to study graphic design and illustration. Scott accepted a position as a Scientific Illustrator at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

The decision to pursue a career in sculpture came in the mid nineties after a brief visit with nationally recognized sculptor Paul Grandlund. Scott came away with a new mission as an artist. For the past ten years, Scott has focused his energy on creating three-dimensional art.

He was one of fifty artists to be featured in the Wild Wings 2000-2001 Originals Collection, and is one of ten sculptors listed as guest artists at the Wild Wings 2000 fall festival.  Scott was selected to create a life sized bronze sculpture for the Rochester Soldiers Field Memorial recognizing the sacrifices made by Gold Star Mothers and Wives. This sculpture was unveiled in the fall of 2004.

Scott and his wife Melissa live in Pine Island, Minnesota with their three children.

Our President Notes:

The 31st woodcarving show is only a few weeks away so please have March 24 & 25 circled on your calendar.   Show tables are going fast so if you are planning on having a table for the show or sharing a table with another member, contact Randy Kinnick soon.   We can use helpers to set up before the show and clean up after the show closes on Sunday.   Volunteers are needed to work the blank sales tables, the raffle table and to make blanks for the sale table.   Since the raffle is what pays for the majority of the show building expenses I would encourage many of you to donate a carving for the raffle.    The potluck meal will once again be held on Saturday and Sunday so be sure to bring something to share with the other participants and workers as potlucks always seem to give a great variety for everyone.   Show advertising has been included in carving magazines plus many publications sources in the Rochester area; but each of you can  help spread the word to your family & friends with email, show flyers and personal contact.

Welcome to our new member, Steve Rossello.  Steve came to Rochester from Syracuse, NY last year and wants to re-start his carving career.  We’re glad to have you, Steve.  Make yourself known around the meeting, so we can get to know you.

Hope to see you all at the next club meeting

Show and Tell Contributors:

December 2006 Meeting:

• Martin Jones                         Tractor, Scroll sawed Christmas tree
• Steve Murray                         Shoe Horn w/ foot, Christmas tree – nativity, Christmas tree – manger
• Louise Forbes                     Chip carved box
• Delphine Nelson                 Cardinals in the snow
• Laverne Schettl                    “Believe” nativity
• Cheryl Jones                        Acanthus shelf
• Ron Bymers                         Santa w/ deer, Santa in Rochester, 2 Santa w/ Christmas list
• Gary Berg                              Chess set – Vikings vs. Danes, (Norway’s Independence Day from Denmark – May 17,1905)

January 2007 Meeting:

• Bob Nowicki                         Chair Affair “Sittin Shotgun”, “Re-elect Bob Nowicki” – Barefoot Santa
• Nancy Borson                      Bark carving – 2 Nisse
• Delphine Nelson 2 Acanthus candlestick holders (sconces), Ale bowl (w/ salad bowl finish so food friendly)
• Wayne Hendrickson           8 ornaments w/ woodburning, barns, churches, house, (made 50 ornaments through Christmas time)
• Chris Christianson             Chip carved cross
• Glen Amundson                  RWC emblem for podium – scroll sawed Intarsia goose w/ MN map
  
• John Rownd                        Wood duck, Duck
• Nick Poleschuck                 Pictures of carved goose egg with underwater scene – very ornate
• Ferris Chladek                     Scroll sawed ornaments

UPCOMING EXCITEMENTS:

Annual Woodcarving Show:  March 24 – 25, 2007

Olmsted County Fairgrounds.

Get ready; Get Set………………Go:

• Get your table reserved.
• Get some more wood carved  --  and donate a carving for the raffle.
• Get signed up to work a booth, the raffle, a shift at the blank-sale table.
• Do some more advertising and invite a group of friends to join you there. 
• Be there!

Tom Severson found this bit of heads-up background for our March 17 Meeting:

Fine Hand-made Guitars by Michael Keller
As a guitarist with a deep love for the acoustic guitar, Michael L. Keller began building them in 1975 under the guidance of Jeffrey Elliot. His focus as a builder has been to create guitars that players really enjoy. His approach is fluid and experimental, and his instruments have constantly evolved. He strives to build guitars that are brilliant in tone, rich in sustain and overtones, and fun to play.