Inspiring Each Other

"Beyond Dreams" is my contribution to the exhibit at Port Moody Arts Centre, entitled "Inspiring Each Other".  This piece was inspired by the writing of Hailey Counsell from Port Moody Middle School.  Her words were "Don't be afraid to try, if you don't you will never find out what is coming next".

I used western red Cedar, mahogany, birch plywood, zircote, rosewood, denim pine, yellow cedar, pedauk, Spanish cedar, walnut, zebrawood, pine, alder and ebony to show that our dreams can become reality.  Drop by the Arts Centre to have a look at my piece as well as the rest of the exhibit.  
The exhibit is on until May 27.

Well, where have I been for so long!!

It's been a long time since I've created anything new!  That's only because my workshop was underwater .... In August we had a major flood at the house and it took 3 months to clean up and get back to normal.  I have just returned to the workshop to put things back together and sort out how much wood was left undamaged.

My first two intarsia items are small - just 9"x8" - hope you like them!
The first is a little kitten made of western red cedar, yellowheart and pine on a birch plywood background.  The kitten's eyes are made of ebony.
The second is a boy's best friend.  This little puppy is crafted from western red cedar, walnut, and yellow cedar on a birch plywood background.  Again, this little guy's eyes are ebony.

Heading Home

sailing home, a photo by cruisin couple on Flickr.

Heading Home is one of the pieces featured this month at the Blackberry Gift Shop.

I especially liked the way the water turned out.   I carved Denim Pine and Spalted Birch to make the water look like it is moving the sailboat along. The four colours of the sails are Spalted Alder, Poplar (white and green) and Yellow Cedar. You can almost feel the wind as it billows out the sails.

Come into the Gift Shop to see the other 12 pieces on my Featured Wall!

Rainy days don't bother me!

June and July have been really miserable here on the West Coast!  But, I don't mind, as that gives me loads of time in the workshop - can't do yardwork!!

Check out my website for a peek at my newest creations.  And, don't forget to drop in to the Blackberry Gift Shop in August as I will be the Featured Artist and many of my newest items will be on display for you to purchase and take home with you.

Here is one that won't be there, however, as it was a custom creation for a friend.  It is a natural edged piece of oak that is approximately 10" wide and 35" long.  All holes are drilled by hand and the pegs are (purchased) golf tees.  Felt bumpers are attached to the underside, so it won't mar your dining room table.



When I come across a piece of wood that is unique, has natural edges or special grains, I like to keep it aside to make cribbage boards from it.

Next time you're talking to me, ask about what special piece of wood I have stored away to make your unique cribbage board to give to someone special for Christmas or birthday.

Another bird flies out of the workshop!

The majestic white swan calmly glides across the blue waters of a smooth reed filled lake.  Summer's coming and the swans are heading north to their feeding grounds.  Catch this one quickly before it flies away!


The swan is carved from Pine with a Padauk and Walnut beak.  The water from Denim Pine, that's the Pine tree which was infested with the Pine Beetle.  If you look long and hard at the lumber store you may find some that has not been shipped to Asia.

A Great Blue Heron flies out of the workshop!

Look at this beautiful Great Blue Heron! I created one about 5 years ago and it dissappeared quite quickly. It flew off to Ontario.  Very few people got to see it up close, so I decided to make another one.  I used Western Red Cedar for most of the Heron, enhanced by Pine and Walnut.  The reeds in the pond are Poplar, which has a greenish hue.

WOW I can't believe what I'm finding in the workshop!

Lots of new items coming out of the workshop this week. This Tool Clock emerged from all the little pieces I found while cleaning up. It now reminds me when to take my lunch break!!