Introduction

[delayne corbett <sculptin@zzzzzzzzz>]

Hello there, fellow enthusiasts.
 My story, in a nutshell...
  I am Delayne Corbett. A Canadian passionate about sculpture and stone. I
started sculpting about 14 years ago when I was 19, out of boredom. I took a
hammer and screwdriver and pounded out an incense holder out of a piece of
firewood. I made a few more when friends showed an appreciation for them
until a lover suggested that I try carving soapstone. Conveniently enough, a
lapidarist shop was close by, with tools and small chunks of Montana
Soapstone. It wasn't long until I was using up all my free time carving,
researching, experimenting and playing with stone, and sculpture. I started
small, using a dremel, making pendants, pipes, and candleholders, then
working up to small statuettes. I moved across Canada during the first few
years as an artist experimenting with different sculptural mediums and
exploring different styles, techniques, teaching myself about scupture,
stone and art. I moved to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 1998 and settled
there for a while. This is where I threw away the dremel, picked up a hammer
and chisel and carved out my life and passion in stone. I'm passionate about
soapstone, so easy, and colourful! I joined a sculptors association, and
through them, learned new mediums and techniques that I quickly tried out ,
marketed and became somewhat established there. The last few years have seen
me split my seasons up, spring and summer I carve stone & wood, winter has
me travelling around carving ice and snow.
 Now to present day.
 My dream is to carve large monumntal works out of stone. To travel and
sculpt! Heavenly! My problem is that I'm self taught in all I do, and to
carve big pieces of stone I need tools and experience that are out of my
price range, starving artist that I am. One way to achieve this is to
apprentice under a master carver. Now, I have no idea what an apprenticeship
involves, and there is a lack if info on the web in that regard.
  By pure chance (or fate) I met one of these "master" carvers (Jasen
Jeninga) when I visited a friend in Kelowna. We met under the shadow of a 4
story pyramid on an organic winery called "Summerhill". We met, he saw my
work (have portfolio, will travel) and offered me an apprenticeship with
him.
 An opportunity I could not refuse. A once in a lifetime chance. So went
back to
Edmonton, sold everything, and made myself at his disposal.
 He invited me to come to Regina, Saskatchewam, (which I did) to help him
out with the carving of dozens of gargoyles for a castle that is being built
here out of Tyndall stone. Sadly, the project is on hold and has been on
hold due to lack of communication, funds etc. I don't know all the reasons.
I have just been stuck here, in a city I don't know, wasting my time and
money for the last MONTH, waiting for any word for my "apprenticeship" to
start, and recieving no word or support from this guy. Supposedly I was to
go to Winnipeg where he lives and where the Tyndall Stone is being quarried:
hasn't happened. I've been living out of a suitcase, prepared to leave at a
moments notice. This has gone on for too long. I am langushing here with a
lack of something to do, and a severe lack of culture and arts.
  So. I ask the community of sculptors, carvers, stone masons and
enthusiasts on this board these questions:
Where can I find an accomplished carver to learn hard stone sculpting from?
Any symposiums coming up?
What is a stone carving apprenticeship and what is involved?
How do you beome a "master stone carver"?
How would you proceed if you were in my position?
 You may ask me whatever you wish. My portfolio is at:
 www.sculptin.deviantart.com < http://www.sculptin.deviantart.com  >
 email: sculptin@---------
 Delayne Corbett
 ps. sorry about the whining, but I'm looking for other avenues to pursue my
stonedreams.

--
Delayne Corbett
sculptin@---------
http://www.sculptin.deviantart.com < http://www.sculptin.deviantart.com  >
(780)9828531