Just got back...

  Another adventure in Caricature Carving...I was fortunate enough to attend the 2012 Spring Renegade Woodcarvers Roundup in Lebanon, TN.  What a great week in a very affordable location.
  To give you some background, the Roundup is held in the Spring and Fall.  The cost for 5 days of Woodcarving is $200 plus the cost of Roughouts or other items you purchase.  The purchase price gets you instruction from 5 well known carvers in the world of Caricature Carving.  You spend one day with each and they offer a good variety of Roughouts to choose from. The class day runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with an hour break for lunch and the first four days include some type of evening event where you can participate or just continue carving.  This event is hosted by Steve Brown who along with some volunteers put together an enjoyable week.  Besides Steve this years instructors included Gary Falin (CCA), Mitchell Cartledge (CCA), Mark Akers (Award winning Santa Carver), and Chris Hammack (CCA) .
  The weeks attendees came from as far away as Alaska and California.  The week also had a visit from Helvie Knives (Rich Smithson) who stopped by to showcase some of his wares as well.  As for the accommodations each member was given the opportunity to stay at a local motel for $32 a night, the hotel included the typical continental breakfast for a motel and they did not mind at all when we returned late in the evening to continue to make chips.  The late night discussions at the hotel included a demonstration of golf ball carving by Dale Kirkpatrick.  Dale also makes one fine tool tote!! (see trusted links)
  As for the carving location it was located at the Veteran's Hall on the County Fairgrounds.  The grounds itself are worth the trip as they have ~ 30 old log homes and buildings of interest to stroll through during a break.  The registration is limited to 60 participants which works well for this location. 

For those flying I found the Nashville Airport very nice and it was only a 20 minute drive to the hotel.

All-in-all a great week with an excellent return on your investment. Great job Steve!!  For more information go to Steve's website (link listed in respected links).

...alright enough computer time...it's time to carve...  WHITTLE-ON DUDE!