Art competitions are one of the best ways for artists to expand their skills through studying other artists' styles and techniques. The best competition for fish carvers is the Breakthrough World Fish Carving Championships. At the Breakthrough Championships, the world's best carvers get together bi-annually for a few days to compete, talk shop, and participate in seminars.

In 1995, Lance entered his first piece that he carved, a 15" brown trout. He entered the carving in the Intermediate Division at Breakthrough and took second place for his efforts. This was Lances' first and last entry in the Intermediate Division. From then on he has only entered in the higher level "Open" or "Master" Divisions.

In 1999, Lance returned to Breakthrough and entered a 15" rainbow trout and an 11" blue star jack. With these carvings, Lance won 3rd place in the trout category and second place in the saltwater category. Also, his rendition of the blue star jack with interpretive stove pipe sponge awarded him the prestigious second Overall in the World.

The Pacific Southwest Wildfowl Arts (PSWA) "California Open" National competition is an annual event and draws carvers from all over North America, including Canada. This competition which was originally for all types of wildfowl now includes fish carvings. Lance usually enters the PSWA except for when he is one of the judges. Since 1996, Lance has won 2 Honorable mentions, 2 Third Place ribbons, 3 Second Place ribbons, 2 First Place ribbons, and 1 Best of Show in the PSWA.

In 1998, Lance entered in the San Diego Oceans Foundation's "Artist of the Year" competition. This is a national competition of a different sort as the artists doing flat painting, bronze sculptures, and wood carvings are all grouped together. Lance lost to a flat painter, but did receive a runner-up award. This was only the second time in the competition's 13 year history that a runner-up award was given. Lance was also honored at their annual banquet/auction held at the Bali Hai on Shelter Island in San Diego. Lance's carving was put on auction and sold at the banquet.

Look for more competition results soon.