Knoxville man finds inspiration
in carving Arkansas hardwoods
By Lorna Ferchalk
For The Courier
 
 

     As a youth, Mike Parks of Knoxville was intrigued with the handiwork of his late uncle Dick's hobby of gunsmithing.
     Parks recalls that his uncle created all parts of the guns, from forging the metal to carving intricate patterns on the wooden stock.
     Parks' uncle, the late Dick Kenner, encouraged him to give carving a try.
     After locating a piece of black walnut driftwood with a knot in the center, Parks discovered he had the ability to visualize a face or figure hidden within the wood.
    Parks' uncle was supportive of his early work, giving him a set of antique carving tools to continue his new found hobby.  That was about 1980.  Parks still uses those tools.
     Parks has developed his own style as a wood carver, using a keen eye to visualize what each piece of wood has to offer.
     He does not draw, trace or copy his figures.  All are the product of his imagination and gifted hand.
     Most carvings are rustic in nature, from cigar store Indians to grizzled faces of mountain men.  He enjoys creating native American faces and researches the facial features of different tribes trying to keep the authentic look.
     He points out that many carvers use soft woods such as balsa for the sheer ease of carving, but for his style, he leans toward hardwoods like black walnut and catalpa, preferring the strong grain patterns that emerge making his rustic creations even better.
     For walking sticks with carvings, he likes to use sassafras.  Most projects are done in native Arkansas 
hardwoods, but some folks have provided him with wood pieces of their choosing if requesting a commissioned item.   For the most part, Parks must spend time locating, then securing the wood himself.
     Carving is time-consuming.  A half-log with a face carved on it can take six to ten hours.
     A cigar-style Indian three-to-four feet tall may take three months to complete.  His large projects, like totem poles can take even longer.
     Parks finishes most projects with numerous coats of tung oil.  A face-in-wood project may require up to 15 coats -- put on a day at a time to acquire the desired luster.
     Parks uses water based paints to colorize some projects that are typically associated with bright colors like the cigar-store Indians or totem poles.
 These are put on in thin coats to leave some of the grain pattern 		 peeking through, followed by numerous coats of tung oil to preserve and  weatherize.  Parks remarked that if a fresh coat of tung oil is applied to his wood workings once or twice a year, the piece should be able to hold up to outdoor exposure.
     Parks usually displays and sells his work at about four art and craft shows per year.
     He has been featured in the annual arts and crafts fair at Tucker Coliseum for the last twelve years.
     He describes this show as a "good" one because it is adjudicated.
     All artisans have to present their work before a board of judges from the Arkansas Valley Arts and Crafts Club before being accepted to participate in the event.
     Parks will have carving tools in hand at the show, as he demonstrates his skill for curious on-lookers and chats about the art of woodcarving.
FOR THE COURIER / Lorna Ferchalk

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