Gene Fuller
Gene
is a perpetual student and life long learner. He graduated
from Oregon State University in 1967 with a doctorate in
zoology and continued on to teach and learn at Boise State
University where, after 33 years, he retired in 2000. Realizing
that he would require endeavors to fill the time normally
devoted to the rigors of academia, he explored the world
of woodcarving. Vic
Otto provided an introduction to caricature carving through
a class offered at Woodcraft in 1999 and, in the process,
Gene was introduced to Cleve Taylor. After a second class
from Vic, a series of classes and group carve ins with Cleve
followed in close succession. From that point the Idaho
Woodcarvers Jamboree and the Glacier Rendezvous provided
opportunities for him to learn from Eldon Humphreys, Marv
Kaisersatt, Dave Dunham, Pete Ortel, Phil and Vicki Bishop,
and Michelle Carville and Dave Stetson. Although he
has taken additional classes such as carving flowers in relief,
bird carving, and portrait drawing he remains dedicated to
caricatures. His carving style reflects a blend of
techniques acquired from his mentors and a desire to embrace
subtle expressions and poignant moments.
He
joined the Idaho Woodcarvers Guild where he has served
as newsletter editor, trustee, treasurer, vice president,
and president, as well as IWG show chair in 2004 and
2005. In addition he is participating in the organization
of the Idaho Woodcarvers Jamboree in Twin Falls, Idaho. He
is also a member of the Pacific Northwest Caricature
Carving Society and the National Wood Carvers Association
and enjoys teaching free classes for guild members and
an occasional class at the Woodcraft store.
Gene
has a wife, Jackie, and twin boys, Brad, a dentist
in Portland, Oregon, and Bret, a research psychologist
at Oregon Health Sciences University, also in Portland.
He currently lives in Boise but divides his time between
there and McCall where he pursues a love of the outdoors
such as hiking, fishing, cross country skiing, and being
with friends.
He is available to teach classes as time permits and
will take commission work.
|