Joe Dillett
Joe Dillett, Master Carver, artist and owner of The Carving Shop in Somonauk Illinois is a traditional carver using old-world tools producing architectural hand carved art for businesses, churches and homes. He has been in business for 37 years producing one of a kind art, teaching and promoting the art of woodcarving. His customers typically wait 5 years to have their family history carved into a fireplace mantel. His work is all over the country as will as in other countries. He currently has 7 apprentices in their fourth year of their apprenticeship program.

Joe writes the “Ask Joe” column in Carving Magazine published by All-American Crafts and his shop was used for past GOW's.
See last years site
Classes:  Sharpening & Drawing

Tues. am: ˝ day sharpening class ($5 instructor fee only)

Tuesday evening 6-9 PM. Beginner to advanced Drawing class, for carvers and non-carvers,  Student will learn how to draw using the right side of their brain while they do exersizes from Betty Edwards book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain." They will learn Setting the Ground and working with a Basic Unit. Exersizes will include finding the edges of objects and shading. Students need to bring a drawing tablet 8 X 10 or larger, a ruler, soft HB pencil and large Pink eraser. Cost is just the $5 insturctor fee that includes the hand-out sheets. Minimum number of students 6, Maximum number of students 15.

Wednesday all day. Beginner to Advanced Drawing class, for carvers and non-carvers,  Student will practice exersizes from Betty Edward's "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain". Drawing exersizes will include finding proportions and drawing complex objects using negative space. For this class the students are encouraged to take the Tuesday evening drawing class. The students are asked to bring a drawing tablet 8 X 10 or larger, a ruler, soft HB pencil and large Pink eraser. Cost is just the $10 instructor fee that includes the hand-out sheets. Minimum number of students 6, Maximum number of students 15.

Thursday eveing 6-9 PM. Intermedate to Advanced Drawing class, for carvers and non-carvers,  Student will study portrait drawing working from a photo. The student will learn average proportions and how to focus on detail. Students are asked to bring a photo of the person that they want to draw. The students are also asked to a drawing tablet 8 X 10 or larger, soft HB pencil and large Pink eraser. Cost is just the $5 instructor fee that includes the hand-out sheets. Minimum number of students 6, Maximum number of students 15.


Web site: www.thecarvingshop.net