I hand carve jewelry and small sculptural objects from a variety of materials (fossil mammoth tusk, exotic hardwoods, antler, bone), sometimes accented with sterling silver or gemstones. I have a small workshop in my basement, where I make everything myself, which is possible due to the love and support of my family. As a child I did a lot of carving and also played around with modelling, clay, wire and paper maché. I took all of the shop classes that my school offered. Most of my work is meant to be touched, picked up, rearranged and looked at on all sides. I like moving parts and seek to invite the viewer to be involved in the piece. Some of my pieces are functional and some are more sculptural. All of my designs are original, though the Japanese Netsuke Carvers and the Maori Carvers are two of my greatest influences. Designs will come to me and unpredictable times and occasionally I will sketch them out. If it is complicated, I will sometimes mock it up in wax for a reference. I also use photographs and collection of odds and ends that I have found over the years such as small plastic animals, bones, seashells and numerous other things from the natural world. I create my works out of many different materials including wood, bone, antler, horn, tagua nuts and a variety of fossils. I obtain these materials from different commercial sources as well as finding many of them myself. I have an entire shop of tools that range from large power tools to tiny files and sandpaper. I
carve or construct my works using many techniques that I’ve tried over the years, which evolve as the piece is being made. The finish of a piece many vary depending on the desired outcome. I may use some wax, polish or even paint if the piece calls for it. Let me know if you have any questions at all. Todd
