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Hobby carves a new niche
By CAROLYN HOPKINS, Times Staff Writer
HUDSON -- Ed McCarthy has had a lifelong interest in wood that began when he was a teen growing up in Northhampton, Mass. During those times he made knickknacks, clocks, furniture and helped his father build houses. "My wife gave me an Exacto set, but I really didn't do anything with it because I didn't know how to get started," McCarthy said. It wasn't until he retired from the Veterans Administration after 25 years and moved to Hudson with wife, Barbara, in 1990, that he became serious about woodcarving. After he attended his first woodcarving show, he began taking classes and later developed his own style and approach to carving. Before McCarthy begins a project, he may do research or construct a clay model, and sometimes he starts a carving by using a small log. "I might see a picture of something that interests me and take a photo of it and either enlarge or reduce the photo to the size I plan to carve." His favorite subjects are animals and American Indians. His wood of choice is bass, but he also uses cedar or walnut. McCarthy prefers the natural finish and paints with acrylics only when he thinks a project needs it. After becoming a serious carver, McCarthy is now the teacher. He always stresses safety in his classes and tells his students to "keep that other finger out of the way." McCarthy has won many ribbons and awards at local shows and the Florida State Fair; his carvings have become well known and sought by collectors. He sells carvings and does work by commission. He is an active member of the Calusa Wood Carvers and has served in several positions. McCarthy will be among the featured carvers represented in the 22nd annual Wood Carving Show and Sale sponsored by the Calusa Wood Carvers from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday at the New Port Richey Recreation Center, Van Buren Avenue, New Port Richey. Admission is $2 at the door, and parking is free. Special prizes will be awarded hourly, and free woodworking lectures will be offered each hour. For information on the show, call Kenneth Slayder, (727) 869-9900, or Wynett Scott, (727) 842-3233.
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From the Times Seniority pages |
