Phil Bishop of Elk City, Oklahoma was a full time woodcarving instructor for eighteen years, along with his wife Vicki. He started carving in 1992 (now twenty-five years), inspired by books by Steve Prescott, Cleve Taylor, Harold Enlow, Tom Wolfe, and the fantastic carvings by Randy Landen, and Dave Dunham. He also admires the cartoons of Herb Mignery, and is taken with the creativity of Chris Hammack. Phil started his teaching career in McAlister, Oklahoma with his first class, when Ed Zinger gave him the opportunity to teach at the Rendezvous in Branson, Missouri.  That gave Phil a shot at a very successful teaching career. Phil and Vicki were on the road for about 200 days a year teaching 25 to 30 seminars a year. They have retired from teaching on the woodcarving circuit, and have sold their roughout business to Steve Brown, CCA member. They are now creating one-of-a-kind singles and scenes for commission customers.  Phil became a member of the CARICATURE CARVERS OF AMERICA in 1998, an emeritus member in 2006, and a member again in 2010, and finally emeritus in 2015.