Woodcarving in Hawaii. The variety of requests that come my way are so much fun! Never a dull moment in my Hilo shop.
Custom Designed Works of Art that Celebrate Beautiful Hawaii and the Pacific.
Projects I'm Currently Working On.
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Fish Sculpture
One thing I love about the creative process...
I have learned some fun tricks over the years. This sculpture is finished with at least 20 transparent layers then finished off with a magic coat that creates a fun resist.
I have learned some fun tricks over the years. This sculpture is finished with at least 20 transparent layers then finished off with a magic coat that creates a fun resist.
Custom Shelves
Never a dull moment here in the shop! This shelving system is coming to life.
Storyboard Woodcarving
The Ulua Hunt
This piece is almost ready for it's May 4th delivery! A celebration of the Big Island, Hawaii as it relates to fishing off the South Point cliffs. To add an authentic touch, I added the Iwa holding the Pearl Hook from heaven. It is flying back to the Big Island to return the hook to the god of fishing.
Most of my pieces are designed to be viewed at eye level. This project was interesting because it will be viewed 10-12 feet looking up and from a distance of 20-50 feet. I spent a lot of time laying of the floor in my shop, looking up at it. A fun challenge!
Most of my pieces are designed to be viewed at eye level. This project was interesting because it will be viewed 10-12 feet looking up and from a distance of 20-50 feet. I spent a lot of time laying of the floor in my shop, looking up at it. A fun challenge!
Old-School Hawaiian Paddles on the Workbench Today.
You will not see laminated, bookmatch, curly Koa on these paddles. They are beautiful because these designs celebrate the authentic, functional, Hawaiian paddle. The way they were. Adhesives and fibreglass drastically changed the paddle design. I love to infuse that 'authentic' element! One piece, solid Koa paddles. These beauties will be distressed, stone rubbed, then finished with coconut oil.
Adding Color on a Stone Rubbed Paddle.
I like to apply layers of interest during the finish process. Once I achieve the desired look, I will stone rub the piece. It compresses the grains and leaves a nice natural shine/patina. Trewax applied with a high speed buffing wheel completes the process.
A One Piece Carved Mahogany Paddle on the Work Bench.
Yes. One piece paddles are very rare. Rare because 3 piece paddles require far less wood. Yes, my paddles cost more, but you are getting an item that is very authentic.. My mission statement: To explore and evolve, move forward and create something new and inspirational, but NEVER let go of the ancestral hand that defines what is authentic Oceania art.
As long as I can, I will offer 'authentic' works of art. What does that mean? Pieces that are VERY similar to items made well over a century ago! They have an ancestral heartbeat.
As long as I can, I will offer 'authentic' works of art. What does that mean? Pieces that are VERY similar to items made well over a century ago! They have an ancestral heartbeat.
Clownfish with Sea Anemone.
This fun project is about ready to ship out! I had fun working on this design. This client is going to have a one-of-a-kind piece. Sure to draw attention.
Segmented Shelving System.
I love the variety of requests that come my way! This design brought me back 30 years to when I was an art student at PSU. Composition from the bauhaus movement. I decided on two shapes, square and rectangle, and two colors. Lines can not go from one side to the other. They must be broken or stopped by intersecting shapes. In the end, it needs to be balanced or coherent. The shapes made by voids must be to scale with the shapes I started with.
I'm a little rusty with my art history but I do know that the movement sought to bring art into the functional things we take for granted. This bookshelf is a good example. Instead of shelves, I created a composition. A piece of art in itself, but functional.
Anyway, I'm having fun with this.
I'm a little rusty with my art history but I do know that the movement sought to bring art into the functional things we take for granted. This bookshelf is a good example. Instead of shelves, I created a composition. A piece of art in itself, but functional.
Anyway, I'm having fun with this.
Custom carved Tanoa or Kava Bowl.
Dakuwaqa is the warrior shark god from the beautiful islands of Fiji. What a better way to celebrate his story then with a tanoa!
Legend has it that Dakuwaqa was defeated by the octopus god. During the battle, the octopus ripped his teeth out and forced him to patrol the island of Kadavu. It is said that no one from Kadavu will be harmed by a shark.
Legend has it that Dakuwaqa was defeated by the octopus god. During the battle, the octopus ripped his teeth out and forced him to patrol the island of Kadavu. It is said that no one from Kadavu will be harmed by a shark.
12 feet of a dramatic hunt in Big Island Koa. Storyboard.
12' long storyboard in Big Island Koa.
Antiqued Door Panel With Dovetail Joints and Carved Tapa Design
Dolphin Honu and Shark
This piece was made for a small family who could not make it over for a Hawai'i vacation this year. The fish hook is the foundation and the dolphin, honu and shark represent each family member.
Humpback with Wa'a
A fun order almost pau. The client requested a humpback whale with a traditional Hawaiian wa'a.
Clownfish Sculpture
Like the piece above, this is a family piece. 5 clownfish and the family pet represented in the baby honu. The personalities of each family member is shown by how and where each fish is placed. Good fun!
Two very large hooks.
The first one is 30" and the next is 36".
Beautiful Koa Serving Tray
This is how I make my serving trays. I start with a suitable piece of Koa wood. I draw out the design, making every effort to capture as much of the figure in the wood as possible. With a chainsaw attachment on my grinder, I rough shape the piece. A sanding disk smooths is up. I apply many coats of mineral oil to bring out the beauty of the Koa and to provide the protection it needs.
Great for wine and cheese service. Also great for Sushi.
Even with the right equipment, these designs still take a great deal of time to carve. This piece took over 5 hours to produce.
A Rare Opportunity Indeed. Beautiful 15 foot Koa Canoe Coming Soon.
I recently was able to get my hands on a beautiful Koa tree. I have always said...when I get me a koa tree large enough, I'm going to make an authentic Hawaiian Wa`a. A dream come true. The canoe that I am currently working on is the perfect warm up for this project. No mistakes allowed! This item is for sale and I am actively looking for a buyer already.
The canoe will be about 15 feet long, Beautiful curl in the aft. I will take my time to make sure the design is as traditional and authentic as possible. It will be one of but a few Koa log canoes for sale.
The canoe will be about 15 feet long, Beautiful curl in the aft. I will take my time to make sure the design is as traditional and authentic as possible. It will be one of but a few Koa log canoes for sale.
I am so very blessed to have a network of friends that have the resources needed to move heavy items like this. We estimate that this log is about 2.5 tons. Its is only 15 feet long but almost 12 feet in circumference. No room for error, but, enough to make a beautiful fishing canoe. The first cuts will be made in the next week or so.
These beautiful Koa trees were ordered to come down due to the fact that they were so very close to homes. Some of the trees fell during the last major wind storm. I was a lucky recipient. A gift indeed for a canoe builder. (Due to the fact that Koa is difficult to come by, it just might be a once in a lifetime opportunity.)
These beautiful Koa trees were ordered to come down due to the fact that they were so very close to homes. Some of the trees fell during the last major wind storm. I was a lucky recipient. A gift indeed for a canoe builder. (Due to the fact that Koa is difficult to come by, it just might be a once in a lifetime opportunity.)
The Birth of an Opelu Wa`a
I am in the process of building a 19 foot long Opelu fishing outrigger canoe. This is a traditional Hawaiian design and I am very proud to say that it is also made in Hawai`i.
The large Albiza tree was felled in Pahoa. My objective is to rough out the log enough so that it can be easily transported back to my shop in Hilo. It's also a race to get most of the vessel shaped before the wood is dry. Cutting the wood green on a large project like this is just so much easier. Fingers crossed, I'll be able to transport it back to Hilo tomorrow!
This project is not a commission. As it starts to take shape, I start looking for a buyer.
What this canoe will be: My plan is to make this as authentic as possible. I want it to look as if it was built in 1750. Complete with coconut fiber lashings and the beautiful, handmade, tool marks. I am using resources from the Bishop Museum and the Tommy Holmes, Hawaiian Canoe book in the design and building of this soon to be beautiful wa`a. I'll post regular progress reports. Aloha
The large Albiza tree was felled in Pahoa. My objective is to rough out the log enough so that it can be easily transported back to my shop in Hilo. It's also a race to get most of the vessel shaped before the wood is dry. Cutting the wood green on a large project like this is just so much easier. Fingers crossed, I'll be able to transport it back to Hilo tomorrow!
This project is not a commission. As it starts to take shape, I start looking for a buyer.
What this canoe will be: My plan is to make this as authentic as possible. I want it to look as if it was built in 1750. Complete with coconut fiber lashings and the beautiful, handmade, tool marks. I am using resources from the Bishop Museum and the Tommy Holmes, Hawaiian Canoe book in the design and building of this soon to be beautiful wa`a. I'll post regular progress reports. Aloha
Crack Repair
Most logs check or crack, especially when freshly cut. I usually allow the cracks to expand for the first week as I shape the wa`a, then, I stop them with bowties and dowels. Because the wood is green, most adhesives will not work, so, I use an expanding and waterproof Gorilla glue.
