JCCFS: Tell us more about your upcoming woodcarving class, “Elegant Fan Birds: A Scandinavian Carving Tradition ” from December 5-8. It’s for all levels, correct?

JC: Yes, all levels are welcome. My classes typically start with a simple carving. After that, students move on to carve more complicated forms at their own pace. I go around the studio and provide individualized consultation with each student and try to help them overcome challenges they may be having with their carvings. When applicable, I share folklore and history behind the types of carvings we are making. I think understanding this cultural context helps make the carving process and objects much more interesting to the students.

JCCFS: What can students expect to leave with? 

JC: My hope is that students leave class with multiple benefits. These include: 1) improved carving skills they can use with many types of carving projects in the future (e.g., knife and gouge use techniques, tool sharpening, etc.); 2) one or more completed carvings; 3) a greater understanding of the folklore and cultural history behind the objects they made; and 4) new friendships and an altogether interesting and fun Folk School experience.

JCCFS: Tell us a little more about yourself for those who are unfamiliar.

JC: I’ve been composing since 1992. My music has appeared in numerous films and documentaries, such as “Sanctuary,” a nature film by renowned wildlife photographer Scott McKinley of Jackson Hole, WY; and the “Vaquero Series” of DVDs by J&S Productions in Santa Barbara, CA. My original music, “The Oldest Hemlock,” inspires preventative disease treatment for the species.

I’ve taught this class many times at the Folk School, and my piece, “A Composer’s MorningSong” has been sung in the Keith House at daylight often. As a resident contra-dance musician at the school, I currently write tunes in traditional style and structure, and I play many instruments including piano, guitar, fiddle, mandolin, Celtic folk harp, and Irish tenor banjo.

JCCFS: What is your favorite aspect of the John C. Campbell Folk School?

JC: It always feels like home. From a song I wrote: “Home is not a place always; but can be a place where comfort stays, and holds for you a warm embrace.”

The Folk School is where I have countless memories of friends made, food enjoyed, laughter, song, and a deep new understanding of craft and creativity. It promotes a simpler enjoyment of living, from Singing Behind the Plow to cutting a rug on the dance floor; to sporting a sooty face or blistered guitar fingers. It is where I can share the joy and process of what I love doing.

JCCFS: What’s something you’ve carved recently that you’re proud of, and why?

JC: I recently took an excellent online class sponsored by the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Iowa. The topic was kolrosing, which is a form of wood surface etching going back to Viking times. The teacher was superb, my fellow students were wonderful, and I significantly improved my skills and knowledge. For my main project, I covered the surface of a round bent wood box with numerous floral and leaf pattern designs.

JCCFS: What tips would you give an aspiring carver? Anything you wish you knew earlier in your career?

JC: Learning from different teachers and other sources can provide you with varied perspectives and skills. Eventually you can blend these inputs to create your own skills toolkit and personal style. For example, I have taken multiple spoon carving classes with different people. I’ve learned valuable techniques and new ideas from all of them. In addition, explore different types of carving and learn from styles of carving from different cultures around the world. Don’t forget to learn about the personal stories, cultural context, and history behind different forms of carving you do – it makes the whole crafting process so much more interesting.