Do you carve stumps?

I am primarily a hand tool carver (mallet and carving gouges) and a whittler that specializes in small to medium sized sculptures. I’m open to larger projects, but much of that depends on your location, stump species and condition, and how much on-site work is involved. Generally, I would prefer to mount a carving on your stump or have your stump cut low at the base so I could take it back to my shop and carve it. Contact me for more information.

Can you carve _____?

Probably! My sculpture portfolio is diverse. I’ve carved songbirds, eagles, owls, hummingbirds, bears, wood spirits, human faces, turtles, dogs, horses, fish, pigs, sheep, flowers, crosses, fruits, vegetables, and other abstract designs. I can carve in the round, relief, whittles, and some chainsaw carving. If you have a project you are interested in commissioning me to do, contact me and I can tell you whether the fit will be right with me as your carver.

What is your pricing?

Pricing is determined on a variety of factors: size, wood species, wood finishing, timeline, ect. I can work within your budget. I offer various price tiers: $20 and under, $30-$50, $60-$80, around $100, $125-$200, $225-$300, $300-$500, and $500 and up. If you have an idea of your budget range, that will help me determine what I can offer. I also do sell non-custom prices at set prices, which are available to purchase online (shipping not offered at this time) or in person at my shop.

Are your carvings safe outdoors?

I can finish carvings to be suited for the outdoors, but please know that mother nature does weather carvings over time. Because wood changes with the conditions, sometimes carvings can split, fade, or even be susceptible to insect damage. I will do my best to disclose the risk factors of your location. In general, if a carving is off of the bare ground and finished with an exterior finish, it can last many years. I also offer on-site touchups for a small fee.

What type of wood do you like to carve?

Generally, native species from Indiana. I regularly carve Cedar, Cherry, Basswood, Walnut, Sycamore, and Maple. Typically, for smaller works I stick with softer woods like Basswood, Butternut, and Catalpa. For medium to larger works I prefer air dried hardwood.