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Woodcarver Ron Kaiser

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Ron Kaiser of rural Garnavillo uses a combination of knives and power tools to achieve a realistic appearance on his wildlife woodcarvings. (Press photo by Caroline Rosacker)

By Caroline Rosacker 

To a wood carver each block of wood contains an endless number of possibilities. It is up to the artist to discover which one of these prospects will emerge. Setting an artistic vision free from a block of wood is liberating, and the creative force can have you hooked for life. 

"Whittling is just knife work. Wood carving involves a wider assortment of tools to create a desired outcome," says Ron Kaiser of rural Clayton County. 

Kaiser is carving out a name for himself one project at a time. He and his wife, Georgi, live on the outskirts of Garnavillo and have been married for 36 years. The couple has three children and eight grandchildren. 

Getting started

Kaiser is a retired dairy farmer and former substitute teacher. He became acquainted with the arts while earning a biology degree at Wartburg College, Waverly. 

"I always liked working with wood, and I have been fascinated by creating new things," he shared. "I patiently educated myself by reading books and using manuals with patterns for guidance. I also find information, patterns and ideas online on eBay, Etsy and Pinterest. I have attended a professional wood carving class in Davenport and also gather with other wood carvers weekly in Monona. 

Each Tuesday and Thursday at 1 p.m., amateur wood carvers meet at the Monona Museum in Monona. "There are about 10 of us that gather each week, men and women both," said Kaiser. "We work on projects and give one another advice or critique projects. There are a lot of experienced carvers in the group, but we are always willing to help a beginner." 

Tools of the trade

Kaiser utilizes a combination of knives and power tools to achieve a realistic appearance on his wildlife woodcarvings. "I use a variety of Flexcut knives that I have picked up on eBay. I have also made a couple of knives myself. I use a radial arm saw to cut the woodblock to size, and a band saw to rough out the desired shape. I use a Dremel tool and wood-burning element to add depth and finer details to the piece.   

Kaiser primarily uses basswood, a softer wood for carving. "Basswood is easy to work with and readily available. Many patterns come with basswood cutouts that are in the basic shape you need to complete the project," he commented. "There is some room for alterations even when working with a pattern. You can adjust the head at a different angle, alter the size and such."

The finishing touch

The woodcarver works on a variety of projects in various stages simultaneously. "When I was milking I primarily worked on projects during the winter, but now that I am retired I can pursue my hobby year round," he noted. "Some projects are in the carving stage while others call for fine detail work. Painting the carvings has been a challenge. I continue to be educated on new techniques and find I have a lot to learn." 

Each of the thin lines in a bird's many feathers or the hide of a wildlife figure are achieved with the delicate, steady touch of a wood burner and Dremel tool. "I rough up the hide of an animal with a Dremel stone and then add the tiny hairs with a wood burner," he explained. "It is a tedious, slow process, but creates the realistic natural appearance of the piece. I follow that up with a natural sealer, or gesso, followed by acrylic paints. The gesso helps the paint stick and makes the colors pop." 

Kaiser has carved over 100 intricate pieces. He enjoys gifting them to family and friends, although he has sold a few. "I never wanted my wood carving to become a job. If someone would like to commission a piece we decide on a caricature, size and settle on a price. I enjoy carving animals and birds. I have done a few human faces as samples, but never a full piece. That is something I would like to try this year," he concluded.

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