Tools For Carving

I thought it might be a good idea to explain how I go about creating a carving. I buy my lumber at a local saw mill and by now you have probably figured out that I use linden wood which is commonly known as bass wood. This is a hardwood but one that does not have much grain in it. Early on in carving I discovered that I was allergic to some woods so I usually stick with kiln dried bass wood because it is a softer hardwood and easily accepts the different stains that I use. After planing the wood and running it through a joiner, I glue and clamp the boards together for the size I need for my drawing. Now I sketch what I am going to carve right on the wood. Then I clamp the piece of wood down and start to carve removing the wood to different levels. As you can see in the photo below the chips begin to accumulate and are eventually recycled for starting fires in fireplaces.I make one of a kind handmade pieces and appreciate the uniqueness of each piece. I believe that each piece will eventually find its right home and my energy goes into creating and putting life into my carvings. My hope is that viewers will be invited into the piece and it will connect with their story. Often I am asked where I get my inspiration from and I usually respond from God, which is what I truly believe. The path that I have found is through carving pieces that portray nature and scripture. I have enjoyed this journey my heart has taken for 25 years.

Gouges, Chisels, Mallet and Wood Chips