Pine Tree Studios of New England

 In May I got word that my dear friend and woodcarving mentor M. Paul Ward had passed.   A  brief biography of Paul  I wrote for Carving Magazine.   Paul's family reached out to me to help them break down his workshop and prepare items from the workshop for donation to the New England Wood Carvers .   The carving below had been started by Paul some time ago, possibly as far back as the 70s or 80s when this style of carving patterns were making the rounds.  A piece broke and I assume that Paul mended the break and it found it's way into the back of his shop until it was discarding during the cleanout. I rescued the piece and with the permission of the family decided to finish it myself.  If you look closely you might spot the mended part. It was quite therapeutic for me to finish something that Paul started. 2023 Walnut, polyurethane finish, personal collection

 This stamp was designed for the students of our taekwondo school.  An original design, heavily influenced by coloring pages found online, it is executed in a silicon based stamp material and fixed to recycled pine to facilitate stamping. The example shirt was colorized with alcohol markers. 2023, mixed media

While there's no requirement, many who wear kilts also wear a sock-knife or sgian dubh in their kilt hose as part of their ensemble. The first sgian dubh is a commercially available one from https://www.thesgiandubhcompany.com/ and is included for comparison. The other ones are "safety" sgian dubh as there is no blade at all.  These still provide the appearance of wearing one, but lack a metal blade and are acceptable in more venues and are safer with curious children around. These sgian dubh represent over 30 years of carving and a variety of woods.  All the woods are sustainably sourced or are recycled wood. #1 sgian dubh with laminated and dyed heather wood handle by https://www.thesgiandubhcompany.com/ #2 maple #3 Philippine mahogany #4 kiatt #5 basswood with painted detail #6 walnut with painted detail #7 apple (costume jewelry snowflake attached with epoxy) #8 apple with dyed details

 This replacement wand for a Tibetan singing bowl has had quite a journey.  When I first found the wood nearly 30 years ago, it was part of a pallet that a motorcycle dealer had put in the front of their lot with a "FREE" sign attached.  While the wood looks completely unsuitable for any kind of working, the color and density was interesting and I optimistically brought home a couple of these pallets. I have no idea what species this wood might be.  Samples of light green colored wood of the pallet boards I acquired that day were sent to the University of Wisconsin for testing and they reported the samples as mountain laurel, but the reddish wood of this crosspiece is very different.   It seems similar to mahogany in terms of density, grain, and color.  It might simply be a very poor piece of mahogany that ended up in a pallet. The piece was worked with a drawknife and several carving knives.  A power sander was used in the initial sanding steps, ...

 This new piece was sculpted specifically for a show at the historic Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua NH.  Inspired by the works of Jim Shore, this piece was designed and executed during the week between Noel and New Years Eve and is the last piece for 2022.  . 2022, Eastern White Pine, woodburned and polychromed with acrylic paints.  Polyurethane finish.  Final disposition to be determined

 The coloring of this year's holiday ornaments is complete.  These pieces carved from an original design still need small eye-hooks for hanging, a coat of finish and then they will be signed and dated. It is a decades-long tradition for us to design, make and distribute a sculpted ornament to family every holiday season. Recycled Eastern White Pine, polychromed with alcohol inks, to be finished with polyurethane and signed.  2022

 The design for this piece originates in a photo I took while my wife and I were enjoying the Carnaval de Quebec in the 1990s.  The perspective is from Place D'Youville looking towards the gate.  The sky was painted with a experimental technique. 1998: Cherry with black walnut base.  Polychromed with oil finish.