could have

On a recent trip to North Carolina, I dug through the remnants of red cedar 2x4s from a wood carving instructor who has been a much needed guide in my own carving journey. “Have at it” were his exact words when I asked if I could go through his leftover collection. It felt like Christmas day as I got my hands on each piece, wondering what I could make from it and excited by the possibility. It sharpened my understanding of what makes a good piece of wood in the process and reminded me of the importance of seeing the full experience of something as far back in the process as you can go. A few have knots that will likely foil me but red cedar is so soft that I don’t think I’ll care. It’ll just feel good to have the shavings grow around me as the blade goes to work.

I picked up one of the leftovers today, drew the outline of a spoon, and carved it start to finish. I could have sanded it for much longer or obsessed over more details but I decided I just wanted to see it come to life rather than to perfection.