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Falling in love with traditional Pennsylvania German folk art, I treasured the vibrant colors, forms and symbols that have made this a unique art form. The personal loving touch that inspired multiple generations became infectious and has inspired me.
With a love of antiques and folk sculptures, I explored the creation of these works for myself. I collected Pennsylvania carvings and studied the methods and techniques of those original objects from past masters and contemporary Pennsylvania artisans. Since 2004, I started to carve and create a style of my own. Working with a single chip carving knife, I carve sculptures and whimsies from figures I draw directly on the wood. I then prepare the wood and paint multiple layers to make each a one of a kind work. I have been influenced by many of Pennsylvania’s most treasured folk artists. Wilhelm Schimmel, "Schtolschnitzler" Simmons and Aaron Mountz are just three of the major ones while their contemporaries are also studied. Other influences include the pottery sculptures of Solomon Bell and his brothers. I am a juried member of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen. I have also been honored to be in the Early American Life Magazine's Directory of Traditional American Crafts as one of the best traditional artists in America for 2019, 2020 and 2022. I have also been in the Susquehanna Style Magazine...see pictures below. Each of my carvings is a unique work of art with no two alike. Each piece is signed and dated when it was completed and many include titles of their own or unique phrases written on the bottom of the base. |
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This August of 2020, I was honored to be listed in the Early American Life Magazine's Directory of Traditional American Crafts Artists
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In December of 2019, a close up of a picture of one of my bird trees was in the Susquehanna Style Magazine
In August of 2019, I was honored to be listed in the Early American Life Magazine's Directory of Traditional American Crafts Artists
I was also honored to be interviewed for BCTV in Reading PA in 2018 for the Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen.
You can view the video here.
You can view the video here.
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