Ross Oar - teaching a full figure, in the round Mountain Hiker and a "Candle Santa". This is a 3 day class. One Basswood Roughout 6-7 inches tall and a picture is included in the class cost of $140. Pick either project or some may have time for both. Bring all the tools you have but v's, #9 gouges and some #3 gouges, strop and knives will be most useful. Time should permit painting, Ross will supply painting, students should bring whatever small brushes they have. Any student skill level from basic up is welcome as long as you have had some experience using your tools. Ross's thought's on using The Knife

Ross Oar Click image for larger view

Ross is the author of several woodcarving books including Christmas Heirloom Patterns for Woodcarving I and II; Folk & Figure Wood Carving; Creative Wood Carving & Sketching;

Click image for larger view As well as his newest books - Finger Puppets and Cane Toppers can be seen here; and Carving Santa, Elves and Gnomes can be seen here;

In addition, Ross has contributed to books such as "Santa Showcase" (Celebrate the Season with 24 Patterns from the Best of Woodcarving Illustrated) seen here; as well as the book "Caricature Carving -Best of WCI" (Expert Techniques and 30 All-Time Favorite Woodcarving Illustrated Projects)

Ross has had articles published in "Woodcarving Illustrated" magazines including Issue 45 Holiday 2008 Happy Christmas Gnome (an Easy beginner character can be carved as Santa's helper or a garden gnome) and Issue 5 - Holiday 1998 (Carving the Female Face).

Ross has taught woodcarving classes for the last 30 years. He has competed in many shows and received many "Best of Show" awards. He was raised in an artistic family that nurtured his interest in art and woodcarving from an early age. Over the year's Ross has done many interesting commission's from illustrating children's books to carving religious figures to authoring 6 books on woodcarving. He is active in metal casting, forging, engraving, pattern making, printing and self publishing,black powder gun making, bead work and scrimshaw art, which are part of early American history , one of Ross's strong interests. Ross has designed a line of custom woodcarving pocket knives and other carving aids for sharpening which are available here. He resides in West Falls, NY and Zephyrhills, FL. phone 716 662 9253

Tony Erickson - Bark House Lamp. This is a 3 day class. Tony resides in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Seneca, SC. He attended The Boston School of Architecture, NYI Institute of Photography and later, Foundation College for Graphic Arts in San Diego, CA. Tony instructs at various carving roundups across the USA and contributes articles to Carving Magazines with the latest in issue 33 of Carving Magazine due out in January 2011. Tony, along with his wife Lucille and Jim O'Dea, host the Florida Woodcarvers Roundup in central Florida.

Tony and the Bark House Lamp Click Image for larger View.

At the 2011 Lake Placid Experience the subject will be a Bark House Lamp. The project will be carved in the round using two pieces of planed and glued Montana cottonwood bark. No patterns nor pictures are used. You will design your piece based on the bark shape, your imagination and some "rules of nature" that will provide a pleasing balance and harmony to your "house". Physical models will be available for study. Cost: $140 instructional fee plus $25 per Bark House blank. Contact Tony at anton@woodakoodashooda.com

To make it into a lamp you use a Candelabra Base Switch Cord. Usually about $5, Tony will have some with him and they are available at Loews, Ace, etc. Takes up to 75w light.

Tony has added an alternative project or for the faster carvers perhaps a secound project pictured here

Stuff you should bring: Traditional hand tools plus a portable light and lap board/bench hook are recommended. A 2 to 3" stiff blade knife and a draw knife can be very useful and will be available on loan or purchase at the seminar. You may also pre purchase these from his web store. Bring 2 or more soft clamps (some type of cushioning pads on them which open to 6 inch or more.)Bring an assortment of painting brushes.

Tony will have Super Glue, Yellow wood glue, Deft Semi Gloss spray, white acrylic paint, and silver glitter paint available for your use.

See more of Tony's Bark houses here.

Leah Goddard and Chris Howard - Native American woman (or man) with a realistic cougar which is an entirely new project to be "unveiled" at this seminar. This is a 4 day class. This class will start on the same day as the others (Tuesday 20 Sept.) but will continue through Thursday 23 September, so make your reservations accordingly. Chris Howard and Leah Goddard will once again join talents for this one time annual event. The project combines the unique styles of both artists with the subject matter. Students will start from a basswood rough-out and have individualized attention with each instructor. The sculpture will be a Native American bust with a realistic cougar to create an expressive work of art. Students may choose either a Native American woman or man to incorporate in their design. Picture available later this summer. Tools needed: finish knife, palm gouges, v-tool, & wood burner. Instructional fee $175.00 plus the rough out cost of $55. Size of the carving will be approximately 12'' tall 4" deep 6" wide.

Leah Goddard lives in Sarasota Florida and is a professional artist, author and teacher. She has competed nationally and has won numerous awards as well as best of show at the "Artistry in Wood" show.

Leah has had article published in Wood Carving Illustrated-Issue 38 Spring 2007 (Realistic Rabbit ) as well as written her own book Carving Natures Rascals: Carving an Armadillo,Skunk,Mouse and Raccoon under the pen name Leah Wachter. Leah's strength is in her close attention paid to detail, texturing and anatomy of animals.

Chris for the last 10 years has been a professional realistic sculptor, from Gatlinburg, TN. He has worked in Europe and currently teaches seminars in the US and Canada. He has filmed for the DIY Network series "Wood sculptors".

Call the hotel directly and ask for a 4 day package 20-23 Sept. If there is a problem with them finding it, ask to have Gary Smith call you back when it is available.

Interested students may contact Leah at leah313@verizon.net and Chris at chrishoward307@bellsouth.net for further info on the class.

Jim O'Dea - Stylized Eagle in Butternut - This is a 3 day class. Eagles are done in a maritime style know as the "Bellamy" style made famous by John Bellamy of Maine in the mid 1800's. This Bellamy eagle is carved from a Butternut "roughout" about 24 inches long and is made to be hung on a wall( so not in the round). We will have time to completely finish this project including painting the flag. There will also be an optional alternate style eagle know as the New England style available for those that want to do another or different project. Any level of previous experience including complete novices are welcome. A few longer handled tools will be used to rough out and palm tools for finishing. Loaner tools are available for those without them, so bring whatever you have. A power sharpener will be available to sharpen your tools with. Instruction in safety, tool use, impact of grain direction and finishing are given as we go along. Jim will provide the paint and brushes and an oil or wax finish.
See more about Bellamy Eagles from the ANTIQUES ROADSHOW appraiser here. Eagle pictures available soon.

Jim started carving in 1975 while in the US Navy serving on submarines and looking for a way to pass the time at sea. He has extensive experience carving human caricatures, carousel horses, realistic freshwater fish, whales and has done to some extent most every style of carving. He has taught woodcarving for 16 years, including classes at the New England Carousel Museum in Mystic, CT; the "Woodcarvers Retreat in New England" held in Rhode Island; The NorthEast Woodcarvers Roundup in Honesdale,PA; The Woodcarvers Roundup in Evart,MI; The Indiana Woodcarvers Summer Camp in Bremen,IN; The Florida Woodcarvers Roundup in Zephyrhills,FL; The NHK Woodcarvers roundup in Copetown, Ontario and for various clubs such as The Mystic Carvers Club in Mystic,CT; the Rainbow Woodcarvers Club in Niagara Falls, NY; the Southtowns Woodcarvers Club in Elma, NY; the Peace River Carvers Club in Arcadia, FL; and the Myakka River Carvers Club in El Jobean, FL,The North Port Woodcarvers club in North port,FL; The St Lawarence Woodcarvers Club in Morristown,NY, and the Burlington Sculptors & Woodcarvers Guild, Burlington, Ontario.

Questions about the Lake Placid Woodcarving Experience? students should contact Jim at jeodea@aol.com or call 941-697-2002 for further general info on the classes or the instructors directly for specific info, the hotel staff will NOT have any info about the classes. Don't forget you pay instructor directly for the class at class start.

How to Make Woodcarving Class reservations: email Jim O'Dea at jeodea@aol.com and let Jim know what class you want. We don't expect large classes, but if there is a problem with max class size, Jim will contact you and work out an alternative or ensure you get a full Hotel Package refund. Age Requirement: Students should be at least 18 years of age. No one under the age of 18 is permitted to participate in a class unless their parent is also enrolled in the same class and under their supervision. Class costs vary with specific class so be sure to read the descriptions carefully noting any additional blank or roughout costs. Questions - call Jim at or call 941-697-2002 or email jeodea@aol.com

Hotel Accommodations Package Plan one price which includes room (nights of 19, 20,21), reception on 19 September, breakfast and lunch each day (20,21,22 September) is available and will include discount coupons for dinner (if you chose to eat dinner at the Hotel). There will also be optional spouse/companion reception and meal plan. For a look at the Breakfast and Lunch menu click here. If you are planning to stay at the Hotel click here to see and make your Hotel Package reservation.

RV and Commuter Plans We have a RV and Commuter package plan which includes the hotel facility costs plus the Reception and Lunches only for $126.49 with tax and gratuity. Call the hotel directly to make a "RV/Commuter" package reservation at (866) 294-7171

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