Who I Interviewed

I got the opportunity to interview Len Woodhouse. Len’s hobby is creating different forms of art. I Chose to connect with Len because art is something that I also really enjoy to do in my spare time. I herd about Len through my neighbours. I was at their house and I noticed this beautiful carving of a bird. I was fascinated with all of the details that was carved into it and all of the different colours and patterns that was painted on the bird. I asked them what store they got it from and to my surprise they told me that their friend, Len had made it for them.  They began to tell me more about Len and I thought it was really cool that carving isn’t even his job it is just his hobby and he is still able to create what I would call masterpieces. When I herd about this project I asked my neighbours if they could give me Lens email so I could learn more about him and his art. I emailed Len and he agreed to let me interview him. From this interview I have learnt how he got into his carvings and how he would recommend others to start carving. This connects to my passion because I love to try different kinds of art but my favourite thing to do is painting.

My Opportunity

After this interview, one very special opportunity that I gained from this connection was he actually gave me one of his carvings to paint. I think that this is very special and I was very grateful that I made this connection.

The Interview

Why are you Passionate About your Hobby?

I am passionate about carving because it is my way of relaxing . I built myself a workshop where I do all of my carvings. When I carve I enjoy listening to music and time passes by quickly. I start my carvings in the morning and when I leave my workshop it is dark outside, even though it feels like it has only been and hour. Carving is my creative outlet and I get to use my imagination to create new things. I also enjoy painting my carvings. One of my favourite things to do with painting my carvings, is to make them look antique.

 

What Obstacles have you Faced to get to Where you are Today?

Some of my challenges has been some injuries to my hands. I have had some health issues that has cause me too have to take a break from carving but when I recovered I was exciting g about going back to carving again. I started my carving hobby when I was a young adult and I also was raising a family. One of my obstacles was finding the time to carve because my family kept me busy, but now as my children have grown up I have lots of time to carve.

 

 

What Advice Would you Pass on to Someone Interested in What you are Doing?

The best advice I could give to someone that is interested in learning how to carve, is start small. You won’t learn or succeed if you try and make a b ig and fancy carving on your first try. You need to take some time to research carving and learn the different methods and techniques. You need to learn about all of your tools and learn what they do. When you first start out carving, you can’t expect to be the best at it. As many things do, carving requires practice and the more practice you undo the better you carving will come out. Don’t be discouraged if you make mistakes because that is one of the best ways of learning.

 

Would you be Open to Further Contact from Riverside Students and if so how can Someone  Contact you?

sure, the best way would probably be through email- Chimosunny@gmail.com

 

What is your Favourite Thing to Carve?

I like to make animals and people. I enjoy portraying life like emotions and movement into my art. I enjoy bringing wooden figures to life. I also love the engineering side of carving. I like to make my carvings move. In the past I have carved birds, dolls, People doing activities such as fishing and rowing a boat (I also designed them so when the wind hits them, they move). I have also made Christmas set ups With Santa, Angels, and gingerbread men. My favourite things I have made are two dolls for my grand children.

 

When and Why did you Start Carving?

I got introduced to carving in the early 1970’s. My wife’s father had given me some carving tools as a Christmas present one year so I thought why not give it a try. At first I didn’t really understand how to do it and I was unsure on what to make, but I was inspired by others work. I realized my love for carving and creating art and that is why I have stuck with it, and why it continues to be my favourite hobby.

 

Unfortunately Len Doesn’t have a website that I could link in my post because carving is just a hobby for him.

Here are some pictures, that I asked Len to send me,  of some of his carvings

He also sent me a picture of his workshop

Here is a picture of the carving he gave me to paint. I am not quite finished it yet but I am excited to paint the rest of it.

All photos are from Len and the last one I took.