This carving was created for Alaska's Governor, Sarah Palin. It was commissioned by Fish Alaska Magazine for Sarah when she was scheduled to judge their 2008 Fish Recipe Contest. I was contacted not long after the 2007 competition and asked to create a piece for the Governor. This was a great honor as we believe Sarah is a fine honorable person and a wonderful example of a citizen serving in the political arena for the people. This carving depicts one of Alaska's most powerful creatures, a mother Grizzly bear teaching her cub how to fish. The piece captures that Alaskan moment, but also testifies to the great need for parents to offer good examples to their childern. It equaly speaks to the responsibility of politicians to live the good example. Joan and I think Sarah is up to that responsibility.    This piece is currently sitting in Sarah's Anchorage office.

I am sure we have all had enough of Politics for some time to come,  but it would be interesting to hear from other artists about pieces placed in noteable peoples homes

This piece will be auctioned off by The Rocky Mountain Elk foundation at their annual convention in Feb. 2009.

This is a hand carved Elk.   I carved it using a technique involving layering cut out blanks.  Each piece is slice of the entire carving.   These thinner slices are easier to cut to size on my 14 " band saw.   Once I have them lamenated together, the act of carving is greatly simplified.   If done well this technique adds greatly to the strength  of a woodcarving.   The Antlers are not carved from wood.  Trade secret there.  

Woodcarvings exist in a wide range of styles, everything from chainsaw carvings, widdled sticks, to high end, life like decoys, and European archetural Woodcarvings.  In the US Woodcarvings are more seen as Craft than art form.    My works cover a wide range of styles, but the most successful style is along the line depicted in this Elk Wood Carving.   These pieces fall closer to some of the Bronze wildlife art that has been so popular.   Woodcarvings of wildlife, tend to be one of a kind,  not as durable,  and not mass producable, like bronzes.

I would be interested in hearing from other scupltural artists on how their works are precieved in the market place.