Jay McDougall

My sculptures are created using the reductive method, where material is meticulously removed to reveal the form. I work alone, carving from single blocks of material entirely freehand, without the use of lathes or joinery. The finishes I use include burning, oils, dyes, and paint. I choose wood as my medium for its eternal warmth and life—qualities that enhance the fluidity of many pieces and reinforce the primal essence of others. I select distinctive logs from hardwood trees that have naturally fallen or been marked for removal near my rural studio. Additionally, the town where I live has issued a permit that allows me to source material from trees they have removed. Any steel elements or details are worked and finished by me.