BLAINE - David Blake is antler carving's version of "The Natural."
With only eight months of experience, the 49-year-old Blaine resident submitted six intricate carvings - four on moose antlers and two on wood - to the Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. He went six-for-six in ribbons, claiming a grand champion, three other blue ribbons, a second place and a third.
Blake, who has lived in Whatcom County for 20 years, has a three-decade background in construction. Two years ago, he earned a two-year degree in culinary arts at Bellingham Technical College. He and his wife, Christine, have two sons: Jamie, 23, and Dylan, 19.
Question: How did you learn to carve intricate nature scenes so quickly?
Answer: I had always wanted to learn carving, but I was helping Christine raise the kids and working. When I decided to learn about carving, I studied intensely on the Internet and picked it up quickly. Of course, I'm still learning every day. To be very honest, I think I am a natural at carving.
Q: What motivated you to get going?
A: My grandmother passed away at 88 the day after Christmas last year, and my dad died at 68 in 2007. That and other deaths in the family inspired me to start doing what I really love.
My dad was a phenomenal artist, but he never really had much time for art because he was in construction, too. I didn't realize I had this talent until I began carving.
Q: Do you hope to make a living as a carver?
A: I haven't sold any of my carvings yet, but the Internet indicates I could get good prices if I put them out there. I really want to make a living as an artistic carver, because I truly love it. I'm sometimes spending 16 hours a day carving now.
I've been considering going into process technology for a new career, because I'm still looking for a good way to make more money. I've talked by e-mail with an expert carver in Nanaimo, Shane Wilson, about marketing my carvings.
Q: Were you shocked when you saw all of those ribbons?
A: These were professional judges, so I was ecstatic. I probably was the least-experienced carver to win ribbons. I dropped off all my work late in August and it was judged before the fair opened.
I sure was surprised and thrilled to see all those ribbons. I became very emotional and called my wife. What a great feeling!
Q: Where do you get your antlers?
A: They're mostly shed antlers sent to me by relatives in Alaska. I lived there for part of my high school days. My uncle shot a moose for food and gave me those antlers in the summer of 2010.
I really like carving on moose antlers because there's so much more surface than other antlers. I'm not a hunter myself, but I've always loved fishing.
Q: Where does your wood for carving come from?
A: Two days after my grandmother died last December I sent away to Wisconsin for basswood and butternut wood. As soon as the wood arrived I began carving. I couldn't wait.
I'd like to point out that all my carving, antlers and wood, is from 100 percent recycled materials.
LEARN MORE
If you're interested in acquiring a carving by David Blake, contact him at 360-303-6948 or dcjdblakes@hotmail.com.
