Getting Back into Carving

  Several years ago I began carving wood. I find carving to be a wonderful way to express artistry and creativity. Wood is so natural and allows the artist to participate in nature. It is an unforgiving medium which requires much thought and planning if creating a specific image as opposed to an abstract design. There are so many interesting  aspects to wood carving, the various woods and their attributes, the tools and their upkeep. The tools themselves are an art and I enjoy sharpening and honing their edges. The razor edge cuts well, while the dull rounded edge tears the wood. 

  One image that I always return to in sculpture is the head of Christ. It is central to my faith, the Christian faith. The suffering Christ dying on the cross for our sins, the sins of humanity. I think what really draws me is the absolute humility of Jesus when faced with his tormentors. He let evil have its way with him and as the Son of God defeated it and its companion, death. There was nothing left for the devil to do. He had exhausted all of his tactics and Christ rose from death. 

  This sculpture is a small bust carved from solid walnut, a very dense hard wood but one that take detail very well. I love the texture, grain and tool marks which add character. A small amount of sanding was done especially to the back of the sculpture. It was finished with a coat of teak oil.