When people ask me, “What do you do?” – I usually pause and say, “I’m an artist”. Then they ask what medium I work in…. and that’s usually when I have to bring out my phone and start showing photos. 
😀
Here’s a video I put together to help explain “What it is that I do”.
This page will show the progress as I begin a hand carved toy box project for a client’s twins. The two designs will feature jungle scenes with one toy box having a lion and the other will have a giraffe (see finished “Josie” toy box here).
Most recent image (September 15, 2018)
I have been commissioned to paint an alpaca. But not just ANY alpaca, this alpaca painting features “Amy the Alpaca “. This fun theme is being commissioned for a wine label.
Follow along in this post for updates and new images as I work on this piece. (edit: Complete August 8, 2018)
Also, if you enjoy ‘Alpaca Art’, you should check out my metal art alpaca! 😀
For the past few years, I’ve been kept busy with metal art – mostly while using saws. The past couple of months, I’ve been expanding my work to include larger “non-saw” pieces. Although I have worked with metal and used a lot of techniques on my saws, I’m finding that there is a whole new world out there once I drop the saw out of the design. Continue reading
This page will show the progress as I begin a wooden toy box project for a client’s twins. The designs will feature jungle scenes with one toy box having a lion and the other will have a giraffe. (View the completed “Leo” toy box here)
Most recent image (August 17, 2018) – COMPLETE!
This project has been a long time in the making. It began when I registered for a woodcarving workshop and signed up for a ‘log carving’ class. I really wanted to learn some tips about carving in 3D and wondered what might make the best subject for the class, other than the standard Santa or Indian. I ended up deciding to make a custom wood carving portrait of my grand uncle, Alton.
I worked from an old photo that I loved, taken while he was a US Navy pilot in World War II. I knew it would be a little challenging to create a 3D model from an old black and white photo, but then I do like to challenge myself!
With it being during my birthday, I bought myself a present and signed up for the week long course at the Mid-America Woodcarvers Association’s “Doane Experience” hosted in Crete Nebraska. The Log Carving class was led by James Barr. Continue reading
I recently completed a custom order for a client who asked for “a guy on a bike being chased by dogs”. We went back and forth with various ideas and she decided to pay a little more a custom 3D bike to be added to the saw. This was a fun challenge, but turned out great! I can’t wait to hear from client about how this special gift went over. 😀 Continue reading
For a lot of the world, 2016 was not a kind year. We were reminded of the horrors that people can inflict upon each other on a weekly, almost daily basis. Many great artists passed on and reminded us that our time here is fleeting and we should try to make the most of the time we are given. Continue reading
Here is the story of my latest carved pencil that was completed in October 2016. After the success and online popularity of my Elephant Pencil, I was commissioned to complete a Giraffe Pencil with a similar layout. I knew it would be tough – but WOW – I had quite a time working on this one! 😀
I ended up trying different graphite based on hardness, I went through a number of giraffes to get the final three and one baby giraffe escaped – never to be found again!
Click any image to view it larger.
Ever since my first train pencil carving went “viral” across the internet back in December 2015, I’ve been very busy becoming an “internationally renowned pencil carving artist”! 😀 I’ve been featured in dozens of websites and many magazines. I’ve done interviews with people around the world and my work has been shown on Japanese (and soon Spanish) TV.
I love the free publicity, but I’m still staying really busy trying to get all of my commission work out in a timely manner. This month, I’ve completed four new train pencils and have them ready to ship! Below are photos from the latest set of train carvings. It’s hard to imagine but each engine is about 3/16″ tall (less than 5mm) and each engine is a different design. Continue reading
