allan waidman

Watch the fine print with FEDEX

2011-12-10T17:52:00.000-08:00

Learned a very expensive lesson, FEDEX will NEVER get my business again. Used FEDEX to ship a piece of artwork to my customer in Vancouver. Packed in 3/4" plywood to ensure no problem. Guess what - FEDEX destroyed it! They somehow managed to totally destroy the piece, admitted it was their fault and that they would compensate for the damage, just send them an invoice for the amount of the damage done. Sent them an invoice for $2000 which was LESS than what the amount charged to the customer. Total about face - offered me a $100. Told them bluntley that they could stick the hundred bucks where the sun doesn't shine. WHAT AN INSULT! Their come back was that the shipment was not insured so the maximum that they feel obliged to pay is $100. In other words, if you want ship by FEDEX, you need insurance just to make certain that they do the job you pay them to do. I can only imagine what it would be trying to collect from this lying outfit. I caution all artists to be most careful, there are a lot of other couriers who actually do the job you pay them to do without destroying the shipment. Would I use FEDEX again? NEVER NEVER NEVER AND I URGE YOU TO DO THE SAME. The big print giveth and the small print taketh away. Big guys win again, little guy looses. FEDEX you screwed up and got away with it. I HAVE NOTHING GOOD TO SAY ABOUT FEDEX - NEVER USE THEM AGAIN.

SOAPSTONE CARVING AT PIGEON LAKE

2011-07-14T06:43:00.000-07:00

Join in the ART WALK on the Boardwalk August 6 between 11 AM and 3 PM at the Village at Pigeon Lake. I will be there doing soapstone carving demonstrations in conjunction with the Blue Heron Artisan Gallery. Should be a fun filled day in this very active community. See you there!

Big Commission Completed

2011-07-14T06:22:00.000-07:00

These pieces are off to Vancouver and from there will probably go half way around the globe as Goldcorp uses these as special awards for their minesites.

Repair the Giraffe

2011-04-08T11:22:00.001-07:00

It's not a perfect world and once in a while things just happen as with this giraffe that fell on the concrete floor. With some epoxy, crazy glue and experience from having done this before, I was able to fix it so that it did not land up on the scrap pile. No need to fret, just get back at it and do what you know what to do!

HAPPY SOAPSTONE CARVERS

2011-03-27T08:38:00.000-07:00

Great group of participants at our Soapstone Carving Class at the Devonian Botanic Gardens this weekend. People came from as far as Calgary and Bonnyville to join with the group to make soapstone bears. Everyone had a good time, excellent results and a time to share with old friends and make new ones. Though the class was filled to capacity it was not short on enthusiasm and talent! (Next class is in May)

BLUE HERON ARTISANS OPENING AT PIGEON LAKE

2011-03-16T06:55:00.000-07:00

If you are in the Pigeon Lake area you must stop in at the BLUE HERON ARTISANS in the Village at Pigeon Lake. This is a new venue that has been added to the places who will have my sculptues for sale. They are opening Mar 22nd - just in time to get ready for the busy spring and summer seasons. Their website should be up within days. Best of luck to all the artists in this popular resort area which is open year-round!

SOAPSTONE CARVING REGISTRATION UPDATE

2011-03-16T06:43:00.000-07:00

Soapstone Carving classes are filling up very quickly, some of the classes are fully booked and only the Refresher Course on May 22 and the Carving Festival July 1-3 have a few spots left. These are the last courses that I will be conducting, if you want to particpate in this fun activity then I would suggest that you register ASAP with the Devonian Gardens as this may be your last opportunity!

SENIORS CARVE SOAPSTONE BEARS

2011-02-18T07:42:00.000-08:00

Wednesday Feb 16th, Bonnie and I spent the afternoon with a number of the seniors at the Good Samaritan Residence in Spruce Grove. This was our second time carving with them so it was a lot of fun and gave them something different to participate in. They treated us to supper at the end of the day with everyone talking about whose bear was the best! A fun afternoon.

CARVING FESTIVAL AT DBG - JULY 1,2 & 3 2011

2011-02-14T17:11:00.000-08:00

You asked for it and now we have it! A three day carving festival at the Devonian Botanic Gardens. Starting on Canada Day July 1st and continuing on Saturday and Sunday, this will be a great chance to meet with other carvers and finish up some of those left over projects or start some new ones. I plan to have hundreds of pounds of stone on hand to choose from - soapstone, serpentine, alabaster, chlorite and whatever else is available. SPACE IS LIMITED - if you are interested I would suggest that you register early to ensure a spot. This will be the LAST course that I will be holding in the Edmonton area, time to start putting some of the tools away and just maybe work more on being retired. We plan to sell our place here and move to the Okanagan. I will also have some equipment/files/tools for sale. To register or more details contact Emma at the DBG 780-987-3054 ext 2226. Some of the details are yet to be worked out but this will be an outdoor event and held rain or shine. Let's make this a success and an annual event!

NO MORE SOAPSTONE CLASSES AFTER JUNE

2011-02-01T15:51:00.000-08:00

The news is out, we plan on moving to the Okanagan later this year and have a lot of work to make that change happen. As a result, the classes scheduled at the Devonian Botanic Gardens this spring/summer will be the only classes and the last classes that I will be instructing. I have made committments up to the end of June and will NOT be doing classes after that time so if you want to take a class I suggest the you go to the DBG website for information, dates and registration. This will end my teaching of soapstone carving in the area, it has been a great experience. Over the years I have had the great pleasure of sharing soapstone carving with close to two thousand particpants and now it is time to move on to other things. Thanks to everyone for your kindness and friendship!

ALBERTA CRAFT COUNCIL STAFF enjoy carving soapstone bears Sunday Jan 30th

2011-01-31T13:04:00.000-08:00

Fun filled Sunday Jan 30 with the staff of the Alberta Craft Council. Everyone participated and everyone turned out a materpiece! Something we wanted to do for a long time and Sunday was the day. Great day with lots of fun - when you are at the Alberta Craft Gallery ask them about their bears - maybe they will have their own exhibition!

THE 16% EXHIBITION

2011-01-11T07:19:00.000-08:00

THE ARTS NEED YOUR HELP! Please join the "I support the arts" campaign.

The Alberta government cut $5.5 million of 16% of the entire resources of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. The Craft Council lost $37,000 (16%) from its 2010-11 core grant. The Craft Council Board has decided to demonstrate this cut as visibly and shockingly as possible with the "The 16% Exhibition".

The Alberta Craft Council has prepared a number of post cards to be sent to the Alberta Government - Premier Stelmach and MLA's. A picture of the soapstone bear that I carved was selected as one of the images to be shown on the post cards.

Wellspring Edmonton Fund Raising Art Auction

2011-01-05T11:46:00.000-08:00

Wellspring Edmonton is a new cancer support centre that is being established in Edmonton, it is an effort of which we are most supportive and to this cause we are donating this piece of sculpture for the fund raising art auction to be held this coming Feb 5th at the Enjoy Centre in St Albert.

This piece is 8 in tall, marbled Brazilian soapstone and appropriately the first sculpture that I have carved in 2011. Hope that it finds a good home.

CHANGES TO 2011 SOAPSTONE CARVING DATES

2010-11-21T10:08:00.001-08:00

The dates have been CHANGED for the 2011 soapstone classes - I urge you to register early if you want to attend as the classes always fill up quickly - I'm told that people have already registered for some courses!
Call DBG 780-987-3054 ext 2226 for registration & info

Beginners course (Intro to Soapstone Carving) March 25 & 26
A Refresher course all day May 22nd (9 AM to 6 PM)
Beginners course (Intoduction to soapstone carving) June 10 & 11
Beyond Beginners - advanced carving course Jun 17 & 18 NOTE: (You MUST have previously taken the Beginners Course)

This will most likely end the courses that I have been privileged to do at the Devonian Gardens over the past few years. We are looking at selling our acreage and moving sometime in 2011.

Carving Therapy Art Show in St Albert

2010-11-21T09:44:00.000-08:00

A wonderful evening was Nov 15, 2010 at the Arden Theater in St Albert when the first ever Adjunct Carving Therapy Art Show was held displaying some of the work of miliary personnel diagnosed with PTSD. We were honoured to have the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta The Honourable Donald S. Ethell and Her Honour, Linda Ethell and several other dignitaries present for this event. Special thanks to Dr Marilyn Hundleby, Marilyn Rolingher, the staff at the St Albert Mental Health Services for their efforts and support as well as donations from various Edmonton and St. Albert businesses and organizations. An impressive show!

Weekend Carving Class a Success!!

2010-11-21T09:13:00.000-08:00

Beyond beginners at the Devonian Garden produced some great pieces of sculpture. Here is just a sampling of some of the excellent pieces that were made by some of the participants. Always a full class but none scheduled now until late spring of 2011. Good idea to sign up early - contact the DBG or give me a shout and I can give you more information

Christ the Teacher - completed!!

2010-10-21T18:51:00.000-07:00

Happy to let you know that the restoration of "Christ the Teacher" is now complete and the remaining tarps will soon to be removed as the landscaping is finished. This piece of sculpture now stands part of the beautiful grounds of the new St Joseph Seminary/Newman College in Edmonton. It has been close to three years since I was first contacted to do the restoration and has been my main focus this summer and fall. Everyone seems most pleased with it and it has been such a privledge to have been chosen to do the work, certainly a highlight of my carving career.

Christ the Teacher nears completion

2010-10-13T05:35:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time getting done, but it seems finally at hand that the Christ the Teacher restoration project will be done - perhaps today! My brother-in-law, Ken Corbett is up from Phoenix and has been giving me a hand to get this project wrapped up while the good weather remains. We poured more concrete, did some sanding and today expect to finish off the base and feet, one more spray of Superkrete Micro-Bond and then it is ready for the top sealer coats to be applied and then the job is done! YES!

Soapstone Carving SANGUDO AB - Oct 1/2

2010-10-03T08:28:00.001-07:00

What a pleasant way to spend a beautiful fall weekend. Carving soapstone bears in Sangudo AB with an energetic class with six participants will likely create a new carving group in that community. Lots of talent, eager particpants and a community that supports this effort and is looking at doing more for the arts. Neil, Hilde, Kat, Jamie, Jackie and Judy each carved a bear for the first time. Thanks to all who were involved in making this weekend such a success and wish you all the best as you make plans to make this a vital part of the community. Great achievement, keep up the good work!

Soapstone Carving - DBG - NOVEMBER

2010-09-14T06:33:00.000-07:00

JUST A REMINDER that if you plan on taking the second level soapstone carving course at the Devonian Gardens this fall you had better register real soon as this class is certain to get fully booked. It is Nov 12 & 13th (Fri night and all day Sat) and you must have previously taken MY Introduction to Soapstone, the Beginners Course as a pre-requisite. If you took a course from someone else, too bad, it does NOT count. This is a very fast moving workshop and you will be able to carve whatever you want to carve. Will have lots of stone on hand to choose from and it depends on what you choose to do if you will complete it in the classroom or be taking it home to finish. Contact Emma at the DBG right away for more info. 780-987-3054 ext 2226

Introduction to Soapstone Carving - Sept 2010

2010-09-12T07:17:00.000-07:00

Soapstone Carving at the Devonian Botanic Gardens this past weekend resulted in an array of beautiful carvings of bears. We had a great class, lots of laughs and fun and found some really talented particpants who no doubt will continue to carve now that they have discovered what they are capeable of doing. Impressive!! Special thanks to Emma, Penny and David for their help in setting up for the class and packing up the materials once the class was over. Next we have to get ready for the Beyond Beginners course in November at the DBG and hope to see some of the same people back again.

Christ the Teacher - Update

2010-09-04T18:48:00.000-07:00

If you have been following the restoration project that I have been working on for the past couple of months, the Western Catholic Reporter did an excellent article on it 9/6/2010 and I would invite you to read it. I found the easiest way to find it was to search - Western Catholic Reporter Waidman - and it came right up. Just a few more days and it ought to be complete. Even a picture with me sitting on His shoulder!

Farewell to Jeanna at the Alberta Craft Gallery

2010-08-21T07:05:00.000-07:00

Friday evening many artists gathered to bid farewell to Jeanna who looked after us so well at the Alberta Craft Gallery. A good number of friends/artists were there and wished her all the best as she is going to England. She will be missed as she was such a good team member and did a great job for us in promoting my sculpture. Bon Voyage Jeanna!

BUSY WEEK AHEAD

2010-08-21T06:56:00.000-07:00

Have been spending almost all of my time on "Christ the Teacher" restoration and the good news is that it is in the final stages and I expect to have it completed within the next three weeks. Pictures will follow soon as to the current state it is in.

A very busy week ahead, resuming the Arts In Medicine program teaching soapstone carving to soldiers this coming Monday for the remainder of the year, on Tuesday leave for Yellowknife NWT for a soapstone carving workshop coming back on Friday and then getting ready for a Beginners Carving course at the Devonian Botanic Gardens on Sept 10 & 11th. Don't try to register as the course is already totally full and so is the Beyond Beginners course later in the fall. Too bad.

Base coating of concrete July 20, 2010

2010-07-21T20:19:00.000-07:00

Made some progress on the sculpture, have filled in all the bad areas with new cement, patched the holes that were made and made repairs to the many cracks. Working on a new finger, now have to let the cement cure and then start up with the Super-krete applications. Nothing can stop us now!

FIRST CONCRETE POUR

2010-07-10T18:19:00.000-07:00

Up to now all the work has been in preparation so that the actual reconstruction could actually begin. Today was mixing concrete to remedy the problems on the base and these pictures show the area that I was able to work on. The sculpture looks pretty big and it is. I do not like heights but feeling quite comfortable climbing up and down the small ladder. Next week doing some patching. Next Thursday the media are coming in to take a look! Have to put on a big smile.

CANADA DAY AT THE DBG

2010-07-02T06:27:00.000-07:00

Bonnie and I had a full fun packed day at the Devonian Botanic Garden, participating in our second Canada Day with them. It was a grand day and we had our tent canopy along with several other artists. Ours was one of the busiest with kids and adults alike sanding soapstone hearts for pendants. Promoted upcoming soapstone carving classes and even make a few sales of sculptures. All in all, it was a success and we all had a good time. Thanks to the help of all the great help from the staff of the Devonian Gardens - we really appreciated their efforts!!

SOAPSTONE BOOTCAMP

2010-06-27T19:20:00.001-07:00

What a terrrific day for carving! 17 participants at Soapstone Bootcamp today at the Devonian Botanic Gardens and what a time we all had. Only stopped for a bar-b-que at noontime thanks to Bonnie and Jeff. Everyone liked my toys (power tools!). The creativity of these particpants never ceases to amaze me, lots of talent and a few who really surprised themselves as to what they could create, no limits here. From Camrose, Blackfalds, Sangudo and Wabamum for a full day of carving starting at 9AM right through till 6 PM.

Christ the Teacher Project underway

2010-06-18T06:39:00.000-07:00

Off to a good start on the restoration of the 16ft tall sculpture of Christ the Teacher at the new St Joseph Seminary/Newman Theological College in Edmonton. This is a big sculpture and it will require a lot of work to bring it back to better than new condition which is exactly what I intend to accomplish over the summer. Lot of prep work that has to be done prior to actually doing any reconstruction.

Another gallery picking up my work

2010-05-30T10:56:00.000-07:00

Good news to share. I am pleased to announce that GUST GALLERY in Waterton Park AB will be carrying some of my stone carvings just as soon as I can get a shipment off to them. Waterton is a small community, the gallery is open from May to September and has been there for the past ten years. I am delighted to be one of the artists that they represent and look forward to a great season with them. If you are in that area then a visit to Gust Gallery will be a "must see" on your travel.

Summer Boot Camp at the DBG

2010-05-27T15:53:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that the summer boot camp is only a month away - Sunday June 27th. This promises to be a real fun time as people are registering right now and getting ready for lots of carving, new materials, new techniques, lots of stone and a great chance to just socialize and swap stories. One day, all day until we have to leave, and then just get ready to do another full one on Canada Day July 1st. Come on and join in on the fun. If you are already enrolled and want me to get something special roughed out or whatever for you, call me now 780-470-3214 and I will try to do it for you. We will only have some equipment there, not the "big" saw, and want to squeeze in as much time for everyone as possible. Bring your lunch unless you want to eat at the Devonian Garden fast food. I will provide bottled water and soft drinks. I will have soapstone, alabaster, serpentine and chlorite stone plus some tools for sale too. See you there!!

Award for Goldcorp Inc

2010-05-21T11:33:00.000-07:00

Just finished eight little prospector/mule awards for Goldcorp. These are made of green Brazilian soapstone, about 7 inches tall. Goldcorp provided the Mesquite wwod bases for the awards, the bases are made in Mexico, Goldcorp supports the local industry and was instrumental in the formation of this group. Still have several more soapstone bears to finish for Goldcorp.

Work started at the Seminary

2010-05-19T07:09:00.000-07:00

After months of waiting the sculpture restoration project at the new Catholic Seminary is finally happening. The sculpture of Christ the Teacher is now in place and the two pieces have now been joined together. Over the next few weeks the repairs will take place and the outcome will be a sculpture that should be better than new and thanks to all the new products available will be better able to withstand the elements and last many many years. I feel most priviledged to have been awarded this project.

Busy - Busy - Busy

2010-05-09T16:21:00.000-07:00

Just to let you know what is going on, I finished up a big bear for my customer Goldcorp and am working on six more pieces for them that must be finished before the end of the month. Then I will be starting the restoration project of Christ the Teacher for the new Newman Catholic Theological College under construction in the Strathern area of Edmonton. Expect that to take several weeks of intense work and make the 16 ft sculpture look better than new. Have some new items at the Devonian Botanic Garden Gift Shop and these are exclusive to them. They have a nice display of my work and I would invite you to take a look at what they have in their shop. Also teaching an Art Therapy workshop with Dr Marilyn Hundleby and Marilyn Rolinger, will give some more details on that in the near future. Also looking at doing another soapstone carving course, art therapy for people dealing with cancer again in Mississauga and possibly in Yellowknife. Lots going on and can only share so much with you. A busy year ahead!

Soapstone Carving Classes

2010-04-28T06:58:00.000-07:00

The dates have been set for the fall soapstone classes:
Beginners Soapstone Classes: September 10/11 - Devonian Botanic Gardens
Beyond Beginners Classes: July 23/24 and Nov 12/13 - Devonian Botanic Gardens
Contact Emma at DBG for Registration @ 780-987-3054 ext 2226
Will also be at the DBG on Canada Day July 1st doing demo carving and have items for sale

Will announce time and location for a soapstone carving course in Sangudo scheduled for Oct 1/2

Parkland County Bear

2010-04-18T07:39:00.000-07:00

This is the piece that Parkland County purchased for their collection. Made from chlorite stone from B.C. it is about 20 inches long and 9 inches tall weighs about 60 lbs. New design that I came up with that seems to be well received.

Parkland County Municipal Art Program

2010-04-18T07:23:00.000-07:00

Parkland County for the second time in two years choose my Bear in Black Chlorite as part of their 2009 Art Acquisition Collection. With financial support from SMS Equipment, out of the 130 entries, twelve pieces were purchased and will be displayed in Parkland County owned Facilities. The Art Work Unveiling took place Apr 15, 2010 at a wine and cheese social at the Parkland County Administration building.

Carving at DBG March 26/27 2010

2010-04-04T10:52:00.001-07:00

Beyond beginner course, the results were outstanding. A nice eagle head by Lloyd G. from Sangudo, Emma working on a beautiful somewhat abstract sculpture and Tom just grinding away on a whale fluke. Lots of fun and some really nice pieces were made by those who attended! Next course is in April

Devonian Botanic Garden Sculptors Mar 5/6

2010-03-07T21:02:00.000-08:00

What a blast we had last weekend at the DBG carving out bears! Great group of people who made some great pieces, had a nice variety of stone and each bear was outstanding. The class was full except for a couple who could not make it, we missed them, but will catch up again in the next advanced class. Thanks to all of you who attended, Marsha came all the way from Calgary for this and says she would do it again.

Maybe we will have a class in the Calgary area in the future, have been talking with the good folks at Shutterbugs in the CrossIron Mills mall in Balzac where I currently have pieces for sale.

LOOK AT THIS CREATIVITY

2010-03-05T08:02:00.000-08:00

Lisa took a couple of courses with us at the Devonian Botanic Gardens and has made these interesting pieces to share. She says she likes to carve and plans to do a lot more of it, will be at the spring course again in March 2010 and I look forward to seeing her at the class. The top one is an intriguing abstract and the second is a mother with her children - both in Brazilian Soapstone.

Gone Fishing!!

2010-02-11T15:25:00.000-08:00

These are the finished pieces that Bill in Lacombe made from some soapstone, look back at the rough cut soapstone piece and you can appreciate the work that went into making these nice sculptures. Very effective bases for both pieces. Nice work, keep carving!

Mountain Galleries #2 hotspot in Whistler

2010-02-05T08:09:00.000-08:00

Mountain Galleries has been listed by CTV as the #2 hotspot in Whistler, right behind the Skiing. WOW! They carry a lot of my sculpture so this is really exciting and I wish them well. Check out their website and facebook page.

Making Soapstone Hearts

2010-02-05T08:05:00.000-08:00

On Wed Feb3rd, Bonnie and I spent the afternoon with 14 residents of the Good Samaritan Home in Spruce Grove making soapstone hearts. Oldest participant was 100 yrs old and she kept up with the rest of them. Great time, a wonderful experience with a group of real upbeat and positive people. We will probably do it again as they had a great time and lots of particpation, and it was a good thing to do.

This is how you do it

2010-01-21T14:59:00.000-08:00

BILL in Lacombe wanted to carve a salmon. Found a nice piece of soapstone, ran it through the bandsaw and blocked out this piece for him. We want a picture when it's finished. Bill is definitely "beyond beginners" in soapstone carving. The template is about 12 in long. Nice trophy fish and he didn't have to use any bait to catch it.

Whale tail

2010-01-21T14:39:00.000-08:00

Take a look at these great pictures from the last class at the Devonian Gardens. Anna Albert did this great sculpture of a whale fluke, looks great doesn't it? It is about 10 inches high in beautiful Brazilian soapstone. Lot's of talent here!

Yes, we did have a lot of fun

2009-12-12T12:47:00.000-08:00

Carving some bears at the Devonian

2009-12-12T12:20:00.000-08:00

Students at the Devonian Botanic Garden Class

2009-12-12T12:10:00.000-08:00

Starting a new blog site

2009-12-12T11:40:00.000-08:00

Well the time has come to start a blog for all of my students and those who are interested in carving stone. Soapstone, alabaster, serpentine, etc., hope to have pictures of some of you who have taken my classes and the projects that you made so as to encourage others to get actively carving.

Always appreciate your comments which please feel free to add as well as anything else that pertains to the carving experience.