In the breakneck speed at which most Americans careen through life, the unhurried skill of wood carving is like taking a deep breath and stepping on the brakes.

It is a skill and a hobby that takes time, patience, concentration and discipline - all things that seem to be in short supply these days.

But wood carving has been a part of human evolution through the ages, first to fashion tools and utensils and then to make images of whatever passionate, dramatic or humorous scene, real or imagined, that men and women could create.

"It gives you a chance to use your imagination," said Ray Diggins, 82, of Santa Maria, a member of the Santa Maria Valley Carvers club. "You have to be a little weird to be a wood carver."

Using his own particular brand of sly, sometimes irreverent, sense of humor, Diggins carves and creates whimsical, fantastical characters that seem to pulse with life and mischief.

Diggins, with his collection of "Something Different" carvings, was one of 40 wood carvers participating Saturday in the Santa Maria Valley Carvers annual show, which continues today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Community Center at 313 W. Tunnell St.

Today's attendees will also have the chance to cast their votes for the people's choice winner out of the blue ribbon winners in other California Carvers Guild State Championship Competitions.

The show is open to the public with the suggested donation of $2 for adults and children older than 12.

Other types of whimiscal carvings were displayed Saturday, but dozens of other styles were also represented.

Caricature figurines, detailed wildlife, artistic sculptures, three-dimensional relief carvings, chip-carved boxes, scroll work, chain-carving pieces and jewelry were available at the show.

"There are a lot of one-of-a-kind opportunities to that gift for the one who has everything," said attendee and wood carver Marge Rolls of San Luis Obispo.

Each piece reflected the days, months and even years of work that went into the exquisite details.

"You get the satisfaction of the end product when you finally finish. Maybe in someone else's eyes it's not the best work, but it's mine," said Ron Kautz of Arroyo Grande, in an attempt to explain his love of wood carving.

Kautz, the treasurer of the Santa Maria Valley Carvers club, said he began whittling as a lad in the Boy Scouts but didn't pick it up again until his retirement 16 years ago.

Most of the club members are retired, but about one-third work and use carving as a relaxing hobby, Kautz said.

Richard Hart, a Nipomo resident and club member, said he hoped that the carving bug would take hold in the Boy Scouts who were getting help with their wood carving merit badges, and the other children attending the show.

"The younger generation is too busy with their iPods and iPhones and the Internet," Hart said. "It's also difficult to get into if there's no interest."

To entice children, the "Artistry in Wood" event includes a free wood burning class, and for the adults there is a raffle, a whittling contest at 2 p.m. and carving demonstrations.

Raffle participants could win a duck carved by the event's chairman, Gary Gresham of Buellton.

Gresham creates mallard hunting decoys that could fall under the genre of wildlife carving, in which many of the event's particpants excelled.

Anyone interested in wood carving, starter shapes, raw wood and tools can get more information by attending the event or calling Gresham at 451-7324.