Jay McDougall

My pieces are free hand carved from one solid piece of wood. I work alone through the entire process, beginning with the careful selecting of logs from fallen hardwood trees in the region surrounding my studio in rural Minnesota, through hand buffing the final coat of wax. You are viewing the manifestation of a very intimate conversation I began with my material over 30 years ago. This work represents the realization of striking a balance between my skills and vision and the material. This balance is dependent on an inextricable melding of my line and form with the unique characteristics of the wood from which it is realized. The whole is greater than its parts. I carve the wood green with no glue-ups, joinery or lathe work.