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Award-winning whittler, wood carver named October Artist of the Month in Valdese

Wood carver Jesse Wilkinson recently was named October Artist of the Month at Valdese Heritage Arts Center. Wilkinson, who has been a member of the center almost since its beginning, is shown here holding one of the larger decoys in his booth.

Staff reports

Published: November 28, 2008

VALDESE - Members of Valdese Heritage Arts Center recently named Jesse Wilkinson, an accomplished whittler and wood carver, as October Artist of the Month.
Fellow artists at the center applaud Wilkinson's work and his willingness to share his talents with others.
"He's an award-winning artist," said member Martha Mauney. She adds that Wilkinson often gives whittling lessons while working his Thursday shift at the center.
Member Katherine Lee admires the detail and precision of Wilkinson's work.
"Whatever he's carving, whether it is animals, ducks or people, he captures the essence of his subjects with great sensitivity and accuracy," Lee said.
Among other popular items in Wilkinson's booth are whittled colts and horses, men and their dogs, walking sticks, Noah's Ark and various pairs of animals, large novelty pieces and the world's smallest decoys.
On Dec. 6, Wilkinson will be among a number of VHAC vendors at 146 Main St. W., who will demonstrate their skills during the center's Christmas open house immediately following the Valdese parade.
Byrd Cornwell said she not only admires Wilkinson's artistry, but she appreciates his down-to-earth manner.
"He's a voice of reality in our monthly meetings," Cornwell said. "He's always pointing out practical suggestions for the co-op."
Wilkinson said he's been creating objects from wood since he was old enough to own his first pocket knife. He recycled white pine crates from hosiery mills for whittling.
"I made my own toys when I was growing up," Wilkinson said.
According to Wilkinson, the first step in learning to whittle is learning how to sharpen your knife. "My neighbor, Arnold McCrain, taught me how when I was about 10-years old," Wilkinson said.
Some years later, Wilkinson took on wood carving at the suggestion of a neighbor in Greensboro where he lived at the time. He bought a modest $6 set of carving tools.
"Those tools would probably cost $40 now," Wilkinson said.
As a high school class project, Wilkinson carved a Roman soldier on a horse. It got the attention of his Latin teacher, and consequently, she gave Wilkinson a good grade.
"I had never gotten an A in Latin until I made that project," Wilkinson said.
Not only did Wilkinson's Roman soldier and horse earn him an A, but his Latin teacher entered the project in an art contest where it won a blue ribbon.
Ribbons and awards have since been a part of Wilkinson's art life on a regular basis.
Wilkinson said some of the favorite awards he's won in competitions are in People's Choice categories, and therefore accepts the title of Artist of the Month by members of the co-op with appreciation.
A walk through Wilkinson's booth shows that compared to other woodworkers' crafts, his works are priced to sell.
"I consider my items very reasonably priced, compared to other carvers," Wilkinson said. "I do this for enjoyment and not for the money," he added.
While carving and whittling has been a great sideboard hobby, varied occupations have sustained Wilkinson and his family through the years. He worked for Highland Porcelain as a decorator and for General Electric as a draftsman.
Seven years out of high school, Wilkinson enrolled at NC State University and graduated in 1962 with a degree in mechanical engineering.
Conducive to his degree, Wilkinson has worked at Carolina Steel, Gilbarco, Jemco, Crain Industries, Design Tool and Exxon. He has some patented creations to his credit including a barge pump and an automatic device for applying hinges to cabinet doors.
"It puts in three screws at a time," Wilkinson said of the latter mentioned invention.
After losing his wife of 29 years to cancer, Wilkinson's friend talked him into moving to Utah where he worked on the Little Dale Dam Project with Corp Engineers as equipment superintendent and purchasing agent.
Wilkinson now lives in Conover. He has a daughter, a son and three granddaughters, all who live in the Hickory area.
Presently, Wilkinson works part-time as a key holder, helping to tune, clean and repair pipe organs.
In addition to his booth at VHAC, Wilkinson's work also is available at Heart In Hand Gallery in Hickory.