THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 22, 1995 TAG: 9510200182
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
SOURCE: Janelle LaBouve
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
When Gerald Lunde first began carving human figures in wood, they all looked like George Washington, according to Janet, Lunde's wife of 12 years.
``Now,'' she said, ``some look like John Wayne.
``He does a lot of research, and really makes good faces now,'' she said.
Lunde, who has been a woodcarver since childhood, said he prefers using older people as models.
``If I were looking for a model, he or she should be a little older and have defined features,'' he said. ``You can get more character. A centerfold is not much fun to draw, for me. All the features are perfect.''
It was from drawing classes that he learned about observing details.
``I've been a girl watcher all my life,'' he quipped. ``And I didn't know girls had a shoulder blade or a collar bone before I took drawing classes.''
For his figures of fishermen, hunters or Confederate soldiers, he prefers to use basswood.
Lunde, who has had a knife since his sixth birthday, began his lifetime hobby whittling toy guns.
``We didn't have a lot of money,'' he explained. ``There were a bunch of girls in my neighborhood. They never showed up to play with a gun, so if they had a gun, I'd have to make it.''
His first good carving, a scale model flintlock pistol, is mounted on the Lundes' kitchen wall.
``I painted the pistol's barrel black and rubbed graphite into it,'' he said. ``It looks like real metal.''
For at least six years, Lunde taught carving in recreation department programs in Chesapeake and Portsmouth.
Now, in addition to carving and entering his work in craft shows, he works the bingo game for the Red Cross at least once a month and belongs to numerous conservation groups.
``I'm interested in conservation,'' he said. ``I've been a Republican all my life, but I'm pretty disappointed with what they're doing in conservation issues. I might not be a Republican any longer if they don't straighten this out.''
Full name: Gerald W. Lunde
Grew up: In eastern South Dakota
Fond childhood memories: ``I was pheasant hunting and shot more than my uncle, who was a sure shot. That didn't help my uncle's ego any. But it was probably more luck than skill.''
Spouse: Janet
Children: Danny, Linda and Evelyn
Occupation: ``My last job at Bell Atlantic was central office technician.''
Hobbies: ``Hunting, fishing, playing golf sometimes and carving.''
Last book read: ``Military Anecdotes''
Favorite song: ``Mostly, I like country-western. I'm anti-top 40. I listen to just about anything else.''
Can't resist: Crab meat dip
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``I'd probably take off about 10 pounds around the middle.''
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: Stonebridge Restaurant
Favorite way to spend a day off: ``I'd probably go canoeing and do a little fishing.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
by CNB