Cabrillo College Fall Arts 2015
Wood Carving with Rotary Carving Tools
Because students
like my carving classes and consistently give me good reviews, I was asked to
teach a new two day woodcarving class at Cabrillo College for the Summer Arts
extension courses. Because of my severe back problem, I sadly had to cancel this
class. I'm doing much better, so the Wood Carving with Rotary Carving Tools
class is now rescheduled for the Fall Arts extension program on two Sundays,
October 25 and November 1.
I will be teaching carving using hand-held rotary carving tools, like the one
seen in the photo below. The class isn't full yet, so if you'd like to learn
carving, or increase your carving skills, sign up on the Cabrillo
Extensions Fall Arts web page.
In this 2-day workshop, beginning students will learn the fundamentals of
wood carving using powered rotary carving tools, and intermediate students will
be guided in additional power carving techniques and styles. Participants will
work on small sculptural carvings using flex-shaft-style rotary carving tools.
Topics covered are safety, types of carving tools, the best woods and materials
for carving, styles, and finishing. After instruction and demonstrations on the
properties and characteristics of different woods and materials, students will
practice what they have learned on examples to be taken home.
Cabrillo has a selection of rotary power carving tools and bits with which to
experiment. If you prefer, you can also bring in your own rotary tools. Practice
materials will be included, but bring your own ideas so that we may discuss
them.
Class is limited to 12 students, so register soon!
Fees:
$195, plus $25 materials fee (payable upon
registration). |
Meanwhile, In The Studio
Ch-ch-ch-changes.
After moving back into our remodeled home, I had to start getting the new
gallery space arranged, rearrange the attic for Ron Cook Studios storage, and
lay new paving stones leading into the studio. I also planned to finish several
small carvings and start several more, all for Open Studios, and finish a zither
restoration. Of course, first I had to let my back heal, which made me a little
anxious about being able to get everything done in time. Well, my back got
better, so I finished the gallery, laid paving stones, got some carvings done,
and I'm finally stringing up the restored zither.
 |
Student with Turned and Hand-carved
Whistle
|
During the late summer I had a new 12-year-old student who wanted to increase
her woodturning knowledge. She enjoyed several lessons during her time between
Summer camps and school. She's young, but already knew the basics of
woodturning. Seeing her work, and seeing the results of her work, makes me
believe she is a budding woodcraft talent.
My other student is getting close to finishing a lovely tenor ukulele. She's
at that long sanding and finishing process that will soon give the uke a very
smooth surface.
 |
Student Project: Ukulele. Lots of
Sanding
|
Starting early in 2016, I will have space for one or two more students at my
studio. I teach wood carving, musical instrument building, wood turning, and
general woodwork. I encourage each student to develop his or her own style.
Outside my studio the walkway and flagstone patio area was filled with small
pebbles that always got scattered and caught in "waffle-stomper" shoe soles.
After our front walkway of cobble stones was finished, we had quite a few odd
sizes and shapes left over. I decided to use them to redo the walkway to my
shop.
 |
Sweeping Sand to Fill Voids
|
I used special "filling" sand to fill all the joints and small openings
throughout the cobbles. I also prepped the flagstone (weeded and opened joints)
and filled them with the same sand. This type of sand has a binding agent in it
that when moistened hardens like concrete. Turned out nice.
Meanwhile, in the new Gallery, I finally finished and installed all the new
instrument hangers. I designed them to include tracks for track lighting to help
illuminate my pieces when showing them for Open Studios. I picked up some very
nice 1 x 6 and 1 x 8 poplar that I ripped down and sized for each wall in the
gallery. I'm happy with the results. |
Old Instruments and Repairs
I've been embarrassed that my current zither repair has taken so long.
Between moving twice during our home remodel and having my back problem, it's
taken much longer to finish the zither than usual. I'm glad to say that now that
my back is doing better, I've been able to spend some time finishing the
instrument. I'm now stringing it up, and I should be done by the time you read
this. Now I have to sit down and write the repair log!
 |
Installing New Strings
|
I still occasionally get e-mails and calls from people who have recently
purchased or found antique zithers, dulcimers, and other stringed instruments.
Some were inherited from parents or grandparents, and some are from collections
or are personal favorites. As old as they are, the instruments quite often need
restoration or repair to make them playable again. If the instrument is only to
be displayed, conservation is an option for them.
I'm always interested in restoring, repairing, or conserving unusual and
different instruments with a history. My basic fee starts at $350 for major
work. For minor repairs, such as new strings, small crack repairs, cleaning,
etc., contact me for costs. Please send photos of areas that are damaged or in
need of TLC to me at my email
address. For major repairs, I provide a complimentary repair log.
If you have inherited a stringed instrument, such as a
zither, dulcimer, or other zither-style instrument, or even old ukuleles, or
know of someone who has, it is tremendously easy to have the instrument made a
functional part of living history for a very modest investment, whether it is
ever played again or displayed as a family heirloom. If you have old photos of
family members playing the instrument, be sure to send them along as
well. |
Behind the scenes:
roncook Etsy shop
My Esty shop is popular all over the world! I have been "favorited" by people
as far away as Latvia and China. Sales have gone to Canada and Italy, as well as
New Hampshire, Illinois, and Georgia! Here's how to reach my shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/roncook.
You may set up a free account on Etsy to preview and purchase any other items
offered for sale.
New Students
If you are interested in learning how to carve, learning general woodworking
skills, or learning about the history and construction of early European
(medieval) or early American (19th century) stringed instruments, please contact
me at ron@roncookstudios.com. During the
instrument course, the student will learn about the evolution of stringed
instruments, research a particular instrument, create working drawings, and
build it. Open to all, especially interested high school and college students .
All students choose wood from my wood stash! E-mail me for more
information.
Folk Art Corner: Items from special wood
If you have some wood that has come from a "special tree" or are planning to
remove a tree that has played an important role in your life or your family's
life, please contact me to see what we can create to memorialize it.
Suggestions: spoons, small instruments, small stools.
Recent Shows
I said no shows this year, but I was in three already, proudly showing my
new sculptures and one new instrument, completed just before the remodel
started. I also did not plan to do Open Studios this year as part of my
sabbatical, but... I did apply and was accepted for my 14th year. I am Studio #
30, and open October 3 & 4, and 17 & 18.
As I mentioned above, I will be at the The Open Studios Preview Exhibit
Public Reception, Sunday, September 27, from 3 to 6, at the Santa Cruz Art
League, 526 Broadway, in Santa Cruz. Be sure to stop in to see my piece and say
hello. There will be hundreds of other great Santa Cruz County artists there
too. (All pieces are for sale at the Art League.) Get the Artist Guide ($5 at
many stores and galleries, or free in the Good Times September 30th) and plan
your visits to view and purchase wonderful arts and crafts, and learn how
artists work and create those pieces. Above all, get out and have
fun! |
Onward… |
Yes, it's that time of year again. The
Santa Cruz County Open Studios Art Tour is coming up on the first three
weekends in October. Events leading up to the Tour begin with the opening of the
Preview Exhibit at the Santa
Cruz Art League on September 26th, and the "meet the artists" reception on
Sunday, September 27th from 3 to 6. At the reception you can meet many of the
Open Studios artists, see a representative sample of artists' works, listen to
live music, and enjoy tasty treats and libations.
The Open Studios Art Tour happens throughout Santa Cruz County. This is a
juried event showcasing around 300 of the best artists in the county. With so
many to see, the tour is divided between North County and South County artists.
I am in North County, and my studio will be open from 11 to 5 on October 3 and
4. I will also be open for the Encore Weekend, October 17 and 18. Note that
South County artists will be open October 10 and 11.
For information on all artists, with maps directing you to them, get the
Artist Guide ($5) at locations throughout the county. The IOS and Android apps
will be available soon. The guide will also be available for free in the
September 30th issue of the Good Times. For more information, visit the Arts
Council of Santa Cruz County website.
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