While taking a weekend class in 2006 with the Bishops, Vicki told me about the new class projects she was designing. The one that really caught my interest was a pirate bust. I ordered one to be sent home when the roughouts were available. The plan was to prepare the surface for the one day class I would take with the Bishops in March. As I worked on the piece, I decided to do a little carving, too. Before I knew it I had finished carving. I painted and mounted the piece and it was ready to show to Vicki in March. She and Phil encouraged me to enter the piece at the 2007 Woodcarving Congress show in Davenport, Iowa. Much to my surprise and delight,  I won 2 blue ribbons. The piece was entered in Group Q, Carvings from a Roughout. I received the first place award for that group and also for the Class (981 Humans). Here are some shots of the piece.