Bill Johnson received all of his formal training in chip carving from Wayne Barton. Soon after, he found a niche in sculpting sea turtles and other marine fish and animals, then embellishing them with unique chip carved patterns. One of his first competitive entries named “Turtle Island”, was awarded Best-in-Show in three consecutive Southeastern United States Woodcarving Shows. A few years later, his realistically sculpted and intricately chip carved ¼ life-size Bald Eagle also received three Best-in-Show awards. More traditionally designed chip carvings have factored into the dozen or more Best-in-Show awards Bill has received for his work over the years. Bill teaches chip carving at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC two or three times a year and at woodcarving clubs across the southeast. Bill loves to teach chip carving at all skill levels, using his unique Ready-to-Carve(TM) product line of original designs, professionally printed on Basswood plates and Boards. He can be reached through his website (CarolinaMountainReefs.com), or by email at bjohnsoncarves@gmail.com.
