May 13, 2009
Local Nashville Artist Randal Martin Wins World Champion Status at Ward’s World Wildfowl Woodcarving Competition

Client: Randal Martin
Images & Logos Available Below

Nashville, TN (May 13, 2009)… Randal Martin, a local commercial and fine artist has been recognized on numerous occasions for his illustrations, paintings and album covers for decades throughout the region.  Just eight years ago, he branched out into woodcarving, and the results have been stunning.  He has received ribbons and awards for every carving he has ever entered in a competition throughout the mid-south. The first songbird he ever carved won Best of Show and First Place at the Tennessee Valley Fair in Knoxville in 2001.  The following year he was selected to carve a bluebird ornament for the nation’s White House Christmas tree for an ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ seasonal theme.  Late last year, he won 2nd Best Of Show, seven first place, and five second place ribbons at the Woodcarving Showcase at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge.  Of the Top 25 carvings of the entire show, six of his entries were chosen and held a prominent place in the honors display. His talent has even been recognized internationally with commissions from around the globe. An intricate hummingbird carving was purchased in 2006 and presented to the vice-president of Nippon Telephone and Telegraph Company (NTT), the single largest corporation in Japan.

With such strong regional success, Martin decided to take the leap and see how he would fare at the World event this past April in Ocean City, MD, and was thunderstruck by his winnings.  “I entered eight birds, and came home with 13 ribbons”, says Martin.  “Six first, and a second and third place in Class, a second and third in the Miniature Division, a First in the Full size Division, and third Best of Show in the entire Class.  I am extremely honored to receive such high praise while competing among the best of the best from around the globe.”

Martin, a very conservative and humble artist, went on to share that participating at the world competition level had nothing to do with the ribbons, and everything to do with learning what he needed to do in order to become the best he could ever be.  With his successful competition track record, it will be exciting to see what next year will bring!

For more information on the 39 year old Ward’s World Woodcarving Competition, visit http://www.wardmuseum.org/worlds.asp  To view Martin’s carvings, visit http://www.wood-feathers.com/

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The logos/Images shown below are available for press use only. Click on the thumbnail(s) below to retrieve the high res version(s). If you have questions or comments concerning these images, please contact Martin & Company at 615/876-1822.

PRESS RELEASE SPECIFIC IMAGES:

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Artist Randal Martin with his assortment of ribbons and carvings
from the Ward’s World Woodcarving Competition

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Third Best of Show in Class

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Ward World Championship Logo

Randal Martin



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