My wife and daughter

This is a portrait done in relief of my wife and daughter. It's done on a piece of basswood that came with a woodcarving kit my brother Gabe got me for christmas (thanks bro) he also got me a woodburning kit that I used to highlight the hair and background. I used my swiss made tools and the detail tools that also came in the kit.

Latest work in progress

Here is my latest work in progress a classic design of grapes. I was just messing around and I had this nice piece of White Pine laying around and I wanted to test my new set of pfeil swiss made tools courtesy of my father-in-law (Thanks Dad!). I love these tools, they glide right through the wood like "budda" I suggest anyone interested in carving pick up a set of these or even just a couple gouges and v tools. They come razor sharp and polished right out of the box so as I did you can get started right away. They won't help you figure out which direction to cut the wood. I'm having a hell of a time remembering to only cut with the grain or across but not against it. You will notice a hole in the middle of the grapes, there was a grape there but I accidentily sliced it off because I was going against the grain;( I still have so much to learn but I'm having a great time doing it.

First official post!

So I guess I should start at the beginning. I've always been interested in sculptures and handmade crafts. I've been drawing since I can remember and even paint. I've never used art as a means of making a living before but have always dreamed of it. I work in the Information Technology field and I am currently employed by the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, an excellent institution if you're looking for a great school to get into.
How did I get into carving? Like I said, working with wood is something I always loved. I'm fortunate that my Father-in-Law is a cabinet maker and from time to time I get to hang out at his shop and play with power tools and learn how to build stuff. I love watching "Woodworks" on DIY with David Marks (He is the man!) It wasn't until one day in November of 2007 I was driving around in my neighborhood and saw signs for a woodcarving show coming to Penn State DELCO, I grabbed my not quite two year old daughter, the diaper bag and a stroller and went to the show. I got to see up close and personal beautiful works of art. I was blown away! There were also vendor booths setup selling all kinds of books, tools, grab bags of basswood and anything else that has to do with woodcarving. I decided I was going to buy some tools and get started. I saw the price of chisles and gouges and was immediately depressed. The prices were not what I was expecting. I was only looking to spend 20 bucks or so and that wasn't even going to get me one gouge! I started looking around some more for beginners sets but I became increasingly frustrated and overwhelmed. Should I buy knives? Should I buy chisels? Finally I got to one booth and found a Warren Cuttlerey set for $18.00. It has interchangable blades of various sizes. I also picked up a grab bag of basswood and the salesman suggested a strop and compound for polishing and a leather thumb guard. I spent about $35 and I couldn't wait to get home.
When I walked in the house I barely said hello to my wife, pulled out my tools and a piece of wood and started whittling away. I made a Santa head that turned out really nice. I also cut the hell out of my fingers and almost four months later have not regained feeling in my left middle fingertip (that finger is only good for flipping the bird anyway). I was hooked and I still am.

Here is the finished Santa Head painted in acrylic.

Welsh Lovespoon

Here is one of my first Welsh Lovespoons I made for my in-laws as a Christmas gift.
It took me about a weekend to do and I used my Warren cutlurey set to carve it out.