Post #292791 by GMAN on Sun, Mar 18, 2007 10:09 AM

Hello all,

I have been stuck at Reagan National Airport because an ice storm canceled all our flights Friday. I only just got home today, Sunday. In all, I've been gone since Tuesday and missed most of this exchange. I would like to thank the members of the TC Ohana who stepped up to defend me and my artwork during my absence. I really appreciate your support.

We as artists are entitled to artistic freedom, creativity, and the right to carve practically anything we want. If someone decides to carve a Maori STYLE design or figure, it has always been accepted and appreciated by the Ohana here. I have had long descussions with other members here regarding Maori subjects. I would never intentionally create something that I thought might offend anyone's beliefs or traditions.

A while back we were all asked to rethink our carving subjects, do more research, and look further back to more traditional works. For the last year or so I have done that to the best of my ability, and tried very hard to create and post works more in line with what some participants wanted to see in the Carving Thread.

Onward and Upward,

Gman

"The saw is family"

[ Edited by: GMAN 2007-03-18 19:36 ]