Totem / Tiki Carvings
Toa Moai (Available)
This fellow was inspired from a previous tiki carving I completed a few years ago by the name of "Haka". I just liked how the tongue turned out on that other piece and wanted to see if I could replicate it. Also, I wanted the mouth and tongue to stand out as the focal point of this piece, so I decided to combine a 'tiki' style bottom half with a more simplistic Easter Island 'Moai' style top half. His name comes from the combination of these two styles; in Southpacific Islander "Toa" translates to "Warrior" and "Moai" translates to "Statue", so the his name means exactly what he is: "Warrior Statue". He measures about 11" x 1.75"
Kia'i (Available)
This was created as one of my basic moai designs. And, since the moai were meant to be guardians, standing watch on the shores of Easter Island his name is 'guardian' in Polynesian. He measures about 7.5" x 2.5".
Anger (Available)
Since I've carved such an array of Moai faces in the past, I decided to begin incorporating expression and emotion into my basic design in order to mix things up a little bit. My first attempt is this irate fellow. I'm especially happy with the natural furrow in his forehead and how it adds to his disgruntled demeanor. He measures about 9" x 2".
Mino'aka (Available)
I created this piece in order to try my hand at a "tiki'-style carving. I also had a very triangular blank that seemed prefect for the span of the mouth and the angle of the nose. His name is "smile" in Hawaiian. He measures about 8" x 2".
Older Designs / Sold Pieces
Haka (Sold)
I realize, technically, this piece has two faces, but I'm still only counting it as one since they're both part of the same carving. With the handful of tikis that I have been attempting to carve I thought it would be fun to try a 'stacked' one, and it turned out pretty great. My favorite aspect of this piece is the tongue. I wasn't sure I'd be able to get the texture right, but the natural grain of the bark really highlights the contours to a realistic level. The name comes from the Māori war dance, which the fierce expressions attempt to emulate. He (they) measures about 9.5" x 2.5".
Ali'i (Sold)
This gentleman's name is the Hawaiian word for 'King', inspired by the elaborate crown he's wearing. I am especially fond of the depth and texture of the crown and the fact that, like very few of my pieces, this fellow can either be displayed hung on a wall or standing on a tabletop. He measures about 8.25" x 2.5".
Ānuenue (Sold)
This sneering guy takes his name from the Hawaiian word for 'rainbow'; echoed in the arch pattern set into his forehead. I am very fond of the many layers of texture in this piece and the way the natural cracks in the bark accent his nose and lips. He measures about 6" x 3".
wana'ao (Sold)
Yet another tiki gentleman in my new style. His name comes from the Hawaiian word for 'dawn', inspired by the sunburst depicted in his headdress. He measures about 8.5" x 3"
Jovial (Sold)
This fellow is yet another smiling Moai. His name comes from his magnanimous, yet reserved, expression.
Fuego (Sold)
This uniquely shaped fellow was another take on my basic Moai design. His name came about from the flame-like grain texture in his forehead, and the seemingly 'charred' portion of the top of his head.
Happy (Sold)
Here's another take on my 'emotional' moai design. I'm rather pleased with how this cheerful fellow turned out, and I'm a little surprised how much he resembles a joyful Buddha face.
Hmmm... (Sold)
For this piece I decided to try a simple twist on my basic 'Moai' design. The result was this skeptical and questioning fellow.
Rapa (Sold)
This moai was created from an unusually shaped piece of bark that appeared to have a natural flow to its texture. This is one of my favorite moais which I have created because I feel the flow of this piece reflects the Easter Island carvings he's modeled after. And, that is why I decided to name him Rapa.
Schnoz (Sold)
When I initially began carving this fellow I fully intended his features to be more in proportion to each other. But, as I began taking layers away his nose took on its current form and I felt it would be a disservice to him to try and alter it; so here he is! I really enjoy the natural edge at the top of the piece, and, of course, the prominent feature from which he gets his name gives him a great deal of character. He measures about 8.5" x 3".
Tonga (Sold)
This tribal gentleman was created as a commission for someone who wanted a variant of my original 'tribal' design of 'Zuma'. I really like the way the natural skin of the bark accentuates both the top and bottom of this piece, while the main body retained such a light grain texture.
Moai Family [Papa, Mama, Little] (Sold)
This is a set of three Moai heads that I carved together as a little family: Papa Moai, Mama Moai, and Little Moai.
LONO (Sold)
One of the four main Hawaiian gods. LONO is the Hawaiian god associated with fertility, agriculture, rainfall, and muisc.
Thing 6 (Sold)
I decided to carve these faces in order to work on shaping noses and lips. I originally intended for Thing 1 and Thing 2 to be just a pair, refencing Dr. Seuss. But, they quickly multiplied into half a dozen 'Things'.
Thing 5 (Sold)
I decided to carve these faces in order to work on shaping noses and lips. I originally intended for Thing 1 and Thing 2 to be just a pair, refencing Dr. Seuss. But, they quickly multiplied into half a dozen 'Things'.
Thing 4 (Sold)
I decided to carve these faces in order to work on shaping noses and lips. I originally intended for Thing 1 and Thing 2 to be just a pair, refencing Dr. Seuss. But, they quickly multiplied into half a dozen 'Things'.
Thing 3 (Sold)
I decided to carve these faces in order to work on shaping noses and lips. I originally intended for Thing 1 and Thing 2 to be just a pair, refencing Dr. Seuss. But, they quickly multiplied into half a dozen 'Things'.
Thing 2 (Sold)
I decided to carve these faces in order to work on shaping noses and lips. I originally intended for Thing 1 and Thing 2 to be just a pair, refencing Dr. Seuss. But, they quickly multiplied into half a dozen 'Things'.
Thing 1 (Sold)
This marks the beginning of my Pacific Island collection. I decided to carve these faces in order to work on shaping noses and lips. I originally intended for Thing 1 and Thing 2 to be just a pair, refencing Dr. Seuss. But, they quickly multiplied into half a dozen 'Things'.
Zuma (Sold)
This was one of the very first carvings I created. It was, by far, the largest piece of bark I worked with at the time; I began with no particular design and just worked with what I saw in the grain. Eventually, it came out looking much like an African tribal mask.
