Bill Janney

Biography

Bill retired from General Motors as a professional trainer. His love of woodcarving and teaching led him to write a successful book, Gunstock Carving.

He then made instructional videos showing fish scale and basket weave pattern carving so others could learn.

Woodcarving Illustrated and Power Carver magazines have featured Bill’s carving, and he’s appeared on PBS “American Woodshop.” Mr. Janney’s carving has also been shown in Chip Chats, the National Woodcarvers Association magazine.

While at G.M., he developed ways to help people learn new skills. He now applies this to teaching woodcarving. As a result, his students learn faster and increase their enjoyment of carving because his methods are effective and understandable by design.

This applies to woodcarving as a rewarding business or a creative, enjoyable hobby. He includes both American and European styles in his examples.

At the recent Dayton Artistry in Wood Show, Bill placed first in “Ornamental” and second in “Best of Show” categories. In August of 2007, the DIY Television Network aired half hour program about his carving, the tools he uses, and his wood finishing techniques.