The Artistry Studio
About
Wildfowl Sculpture in Wood - Laurie offers instruction related to bird carving, decoy carving, decorative wildfowl carving, palm frond carving. Powercarving exclusively tupelo wood, using flex-shaft grinder, micro-motor tool and bits, wood burner, acrylic painting and oil painting.
Lessons include, clay modeling, pattern making, band sawing, flex-shaft rough out, feather carving, stoning in texture and wood burning feathers, and painting decorative smoothie decoys in oils or acrylic paints.
Laurie's 34 years of experience in wildfowl carving of all types birds including waterfowl, raptors, songbirds is highly sought after by those wishing to compete their works in competition.
Laurie is a world champion in wildfowl carving, has exhibited her works at the highest levels, published writer and author of "Common Loon with Chicks" a Wildfowl Carving Magazine Workbench Project book.
This book shows the student/reader in step-by-step detail, the creation of a lifesize one-piece Common Loon with two chicks carved exclusively with power tools, no knives. From clay model, to pattern drawing, band sawing to rough out, then individual feather carving, texturing and wood burning. Finally the painting of this masterpiece using oils.
Laurie's free video demonstrations (100+) may be found on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/LoonLady38/videos
Free photo tutorials with instructional text are offered through Laurie's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheArtistryStudios/photos/?tab=albums
Laurie has several published articles with Wildfowl Carving Magazine showing her projects from start to finish in great detail. For back issues http://Wildfowl-Carving.com
Laurie's students have all gone on to win awards and become champion carvers after studying with Laurie. Learn from one of the best wildfowl carving instructors in the world.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Students come to my studio and initially use my tools, so they can decide if they really want to carve and paint birds from wood.
Student chooses a bird from a number of species choices, a pattern is developed for the project, and the student comes for a minumum of three (3) hours class time, one or more times a week, depending upon availablity.
Laurie carves the same bird right alongside the student, to show them what to do and how to do it. This way the student's bird is carved by them, not the instructor.
As the project progresses, the student can begin to work at home on their own after Laurie sends them home with homework. Often one side of the bird is completed in studio under Laurie's watchful eye, then the student is sent home to finish the other side (if the student has a place and the tools to work at home). This can save on tuition for the student, once they begin to work independently.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Laurie is a master wildfowl sculptor and a world champion with many titles and awards. Her works can be found in the Minnesota Historical Musuem in St. Paul and in the Ward Museum or Wildfowl Art is Salisbury, MD.
Laurie is a published author of a Wildfowl Carving Magazine Workbench Project book (2018) and has been writing articles for the magazine for more than 25 years. Her works have graced the cover of two Wildfowl Carving Magazine quarterly issues and her feature articles offer instruction as well as insight into the world of wildfowl carving.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I charge $35 per hour with a three (3) hour minimum in my private studio. Initially, new students use Laurie's power tools until they have decided they would like to continue carving birds from wood.
How did you get started teaching?
I have been teaching wildfowl carving for 33 years, I began in 1985 after taking two classes from another instructor, I began teaching myself to earn money to take power carving lessons from a master decoy carver.
Then I began developing my own methods and techniques which rewarded me with many championship wins, which led to new carvers wanting to learn my techinques.
What types of students have you worked with?
I work with students aging in ranges of 12 years to seniors, and at all levels of carving. From new students with no experience, to those with a lot of experience who just want to improve their skill in certain areas, such as wood burning or painting.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Seek out an instructor who pays attention to detail, who is organized in their lesson plan, and who is qualified through competition as a master wildfowl carver.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What type of wildfowl carving are you most interested in doing? Hunting decoys, detailed bird carving, interpretive design, palm frond sculpture?
What bird or birds are you most interested in carving?
What experience do you have in carving or painting, or in art in general?
Are you a birder or bird watcher?
Are you a duck hunter looking to make their own decoys?
What kind of carving tools do you own, if any?