JCCFS: Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your background in your medium? How did you get started?

PR: I started carving in 1974. I trained in traditional wood carving techniques and by 1982, I was carving professionally under the business name, “Raleigh Carving Company”. I have furnished churches with sculptures and chancel furnishings, hand carved signs for businesses and individuals, reproduction furniture with carved ornamentation, models for cast reproductions and many other applications of the trade. In 2010, I wrote the book. HOW TO CARVE BELLAMY EAGLES. I am semi retired now; I am still carving but I am also teaching many classes on a variety of carving topics. Over the years, I have accumulated a wealth of knowledge about the practical side of woodworking and wood carving and I really enjoy sharing what I have learned with others. The Folk School offers the perfect environment for this.

JCCFS: Tell us more about your class’s specific technique or process.

PR: Letter carving is a specialized skill in wood carving that has many practical applications. The most obvious and common application is creating hand carved signs. In this class, students can do just that, with a personalized touch. The sign could be done as a gift or special project for your home. Don’t have a project in mind? That’s OK, I can help you with that. Perhaps a favorite quote to display.

Examples of letter Carving

JCCFS: What can students expect to leave your class with?

PR: After acquiring the traditional letter carving skills, students will leave with a personalized sign or quote carved in wood.

JCCFS: What do you enjoy most about The Folk School?

PR: There is palatable energy and feeling that permeates the campus. The experience is felt by everyone in attendance as they leave all of their “real world” troubles behind for the week. In this, we all have something in common.

JCCFS: Where do you draw inspiration for your work?

PR: I am humbled by the work of artists from long ago and am inspired by their work. One of my goals is to always recreate the forms that we see in nature. You can see many wonderful examples of this theme from many of the classes that are taught at the Folk School.

JCCFS: What’s one piece or craft object you’ve made recently that you are proud of, and why? 

PR: I have studied anatomy a great deal and this has allowed me to carve realistic portraits of people that really look like the subjects.

JCCFS: What tips would you give a student or aspiring craftsperson? Anything you wish you had known earlier in your career? 

PR: If at first, you don’t succeed on your own, don’t give up. Instead, look at: Are you starting off with a project that may be too ambitious for a beginner? Are you using the right tools that are in good condition and appropriate for the job at hand? Are you using good materials? Do you have proper reference material? Your problems may very well be one of the above and not YOUR inability to accomplish your goal.

JCCFS: Where can folks find you if they want to stay up to date on your work?

PR: Website: www.rolfewoodcarving.com