ARTFUL WOODCARVING

 IVAN DIMITROV

CARVING MAGIC

Originally from Bulgaria, Ivan began woodworking early-on by crafting his own tools - chisels from discarded screwdrivers; detailing tools from the ribs of old umbrellas. When he learned of a woodcarver who had recently passed, he would head out into the

country to see if he could buy their tools.

Ivan showing me a photograph of himself sitting in one of his

 hand-carved chairs carving a tree!

After leaving Bulgaria, he lived and carved in Paris and London and 24

years ago he wended his way to Santa Fe, bringing his imagination, his exquisite

talent for carving wood and his beloved chisels & tools.

Last week Ivan took me to Holy Trinity Orthodox Church of Santa Fe to show me an elaborate project he completed in 2017 to celebrate the

 20th Anniversary of the church.  

 It took him a year to complete the ICONOSTASIS -  a sweeping, intricately-carved screen bearing religious icons - separating the sanctuary from the nave. The composition is based on the Holy Trinity and it's a vision to behold when you step in to the beautifully-appointed church with its' magnificent painted domed-ceiling, gorgeous chandelier and religious art. 

 Another of Ivan's work is the magnificent carved Bishops chair,

 just to the right of the screen. 

                The back of this beautiful piece is a memorial tribute to his beloved wife  

Vesselina

Her initials are lovingly intertwined with the carved flowers.

A warm thank you to Fathers John & Jessie for allowing 

Chasing to photograph Ivan's gracious gifts to their church.

NOW

IVAN THE MASTER TEACHER

For the past twenty years Ivan has been teaching the Art of  Fine Woodcarving

at Santa Fe Community College. Each Friday he teaches two back to back, four-hour 

 classes. Last week I dropped by and  tried to capture the nuances of 

the carvers and their work with my camera.

Each carver sits at their own work station and Ivan moves between the tables

watching, suggesting and encouraging. The students that I met are all

advanced carvers and their work was most impressive.

Alex Martinez

Doug Oliver

Yes, blatant advertising for this carver who currently has

a show at Downtown Subscription. I stopped by and took a few photos

 of his amazing work. 

Noor Kahlsa

These are the tools that are on his

table...others are squirreled away

under the table!

Felix Vijiil

Jim Coogan

Jean Moya

  Each carving begins with a drawing... 

Which is then

transferred to the waiting wood.

Then the carving begins...

 creating lots of these...

This was an impressive group of carvers and when I asked Ivan if they all had an art background he laughed, telling me that his classes attracted doctors, lawyers and a slew of other professionals as well as artists. And over the past twenty years he reckons he's taught 300 or more students. When not teaching, Ivan is working on commissions that he carves in his small, but vibrant studio.

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