Welcome to my carving studio. The question I am asked most is ‘when did you start’? I officially started carving in 1999 but was really to busy working to spend a lot of time learning. My original field was supporting in Information Technology in support of a global commodities processing system operated by Cargill, Inc. They kept me extremely busy!
While in London for six months working for a Cargill special IT project, I had more time to carve and started carving spoons using basswood spoon blanks I brought with me. Inspired by all things English (and Scottish), I started carving spoons with a Scottish Thistle on the ends. These were popular and gave me the skills, inspiration and ambition to keep on carving.
Back in the States, I started carving Santas and have been carving the pudgy little fellows ever since. I love doing detailed eyes and think good eyes add some character to every carving. When I do get tired of Santas, I have been carving gnomes and bears and who knows what will follow?
I stay busy with the Thornton House B&B where I also sell my carvings. In addition to this venue, the guests are very supportive and frequently go home with a carving or two. Besides this I do the ‘Driftless Area Art Fair’ which is a juried group of 80 talented local artists and it is held just before Fall every year. It is called the ‘Driftess Area’ as there are steep hills, (I call mini mountains up to 1200ft high) abundant trout streams and fantastic fall colors from all of the surrounding woods. A great venue and beautiful time to enjoy the area- come and stay at the Thornton House B&B in Lansing Iowa!
-Frank