Pencil Carving: An Art From The Heart

It is art time!!!

Hello Steemians! How are you doing all today? I am feeling great and extremely happy! :) :) :)

I'm gonna share to you one unique art that I've just come across today. It's pencil carving! The art of making something out of an ordinary, taken for granted pencil.

I am one guilty person when it comes to using pencils. They are oftentimes taken for granted, we have that "just okay if it's lost" attitude with pencils. I think this time, you and I will have a change of heart. Keep pencils as you would keep someone you love.

Meet Sir Jhon Vincent D. Lasala, Teacher Jhon for short. He is one of our student teachers from the University of the Visayas. He is currently handling MAPEH (Music, Arts, Physical Education & Health) to junior high school students.

This afternoon, I saw him carving a pencil. I wonder if he's just bored and playing around with his pencil. And I was quite wrong! He is creating art! Pencil carving! Wow! I haven't heard or seen someone making such an intricate work of art.

He started learning the craft when he was in second year college. He would use his income for his allowance in school. He's one independent and very hardworking student. He will soon finish his education degree this March. Success are those who perseveres, keeps on and never gives up! Congrats Sir!

He had cuts before. I even saw one cut in his finger. Does it hurt? I asked. He had a big smile, which meant: Yes. (And I inserted some hugot line: No. You just get used to it.)

It was such a detailed art. He said that with time and constant practice, he was able to perfect his art. He was able to finish one pencil carving in less than an hour!

For this craft, he used pencil, cutter, wood stand and a test tube to protect the carved lead. He jokingly said, that whenever he buys test tubes, he would always bring with him sample of his pencil carving, as some would think he would use test tubes for other purposes like drugs. And we just shrugged and laughed. You don't look like an addict to me. I said. And we laughed again.

We are amazed by you, Teacher Jhon! You truly are an artist! Keep doing what you love doing! You'll inspire more creative young minds.

Let us be like pencils. Leave only beautiful marks in each other's lives. Let our pain sharpen us, strengthen us. And let what's inside be more important than what's outside.