In the story Crescent Moon, Uncle Mac carves a wooden Indian princess. I interviewed Kevin Midthun, a local wood carver, to learn more about this art.

1)What kind of tools do you use?
I have over 100 different chisels of different shapes and sizes that I use.  I also use power tools to shape the wood.  I have basically the same tools as a cabinet maker.

2)Do you season the wood before you carve?
Sometimes I buy the wood already seasoned but I prefer to buy it green, which is useasoned and then I make sure there are spaces between the wood and then I cover it to dry.
Carving of "The Good Samaritan" at Luther Hospital, Eau Claire.
Photo credit: P. Solfest, 2002.
3)What makes your carvings different from others?
I use butternut wood which is hard but soft to carve with.  I also carve deep in the wood to get the best wood of the log.

4)What do you normally carve?
I carve mantles, railings, things for churches.  I keep a book of pictures of the things I've done.

5)Why did you start carving?
I enjoyed art work and I was pretty good at in high school, so when a friend asked me to carve something for Luther hospital I said yes and I sort of took it up from there.

6)When did you start carving?
I started when I was 22 years old and I am 49 years old now so I've been carving for about 27 years.

UW Eau Claire Seal carved by Kevin Midthun
Photo credit: P. Solfest, 2002.
7)Do you keep track of how many things you have carved?
I take pictures of things I've carved so customers can compare what they want but I do not know the exact number of the things I've carved.

8)Have you won any awards for your carvings?
My award is being able to make money of it for over 25 years.  I haven't had to promote myself in shows but I've been in a few art shows and I've won a couple awards.

9)For young people who would like to start carving, what kind of advice would you like to give them?
Well, I'd tell them they'd need sharp chisels and before they start they would have to understand what the tools do and wood carving takes patience and practice.

Sources:
Interview with Kevin Midthun, 2002.