Wood Carving
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Click on the carving images below for a larger view and details about the work.
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Frog Dish |
Large Rectangular Tray |
Salad Bowls |
Feast Platter |
Salad Service Sets |
Twisted Rim Bowl |
Paddle
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Medium Carved Tray |
Halibut Dish |
Hand Mirror
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Carving Process
I create hand-carved functional ware
and sculptures made from Indigenous BC
Woods. Maple, alder, red and yellow cedar,
and various fruitwoods such as cherry,
apple, and plum are available locally from
the forests, mills, and gifts from friends.
Carving these kinds of woods are done with
conventional gouges, knives, or files and
not-so-conventional tools, such as dental
tools, toothbrushes, small crochet hooks, or
salon boards.
Carving a bowl or platter involves more
than simply taking a tool to a piece of
wood. Like an architect, the design may be
finely developed on paper first before
transferring to the actual wood materials. A
template or stencil is often cut from a Lexan
sheet or yogurt container lid which is then
used for transferring the design. Some
carvings are developed more like process
work, totally free to become whatever
happens in the moment.
Highlights are created with inlaid abalone
(paua) discs, copper nails, glass cabochons,
and found objects.
The surfaces of all the carvings are carefully
smoothed with sanding cloths, then finished
with polymerized linseed oil and beeswax.
The final application is done with a our own
specially created emulsion of oil and melted
beeswax (Deertrax Wax, which you can
order from me: see for details). Then all pieces are handbuffed
with the toe of an old wool hiking
sock. None of my oil/beeswax finishes
contain dryers or distillates. They are food
safe and non-toxic.
For trays, I use a router or a drill press with Forstner bits to remove excess wood. That saves wear and tear on my wrist joints. Then I use gouges and knives to complete.
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"Since opening our doors August of 1996, at the Wickaninnish Inn on Vancouver Island, we have maintained an excellent relationship with Artist Rene Deerheart. From the beginning we commissioned small hand-carved yellow cedar trays from her that we use in the Pointe Restaurant for check presenters. Since 2001, we have included various carved items from Rene in our special New Year's Eve packages, and we also sell her beautiful trays and salad sets in our gift gallery. Our customers appreciate receiving or purchasing these elegant hand-carved keepsakes of their west coast experience."
~ Charles McDiarmid, Managing Director
Wickinnish Inn / Pointe Restaurant / Ancient Cedars Spa |
Trees that provide wood for carving:
I like Yellow Cedar because it is a dream to carve. Fine details are possible. It has a tight grain with an oily golden glow and a woodsy fragrance described as musky or woodsy.
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I use Red Cedar for large feast platters because I can get wide, edge grain slabs for carving. The rich coppery-red colour of the wood shows off the blue-green abalone accents like jewels. Food looks so delicious when presented on one of these. |
Maple is the choice for salad sets and spoons because it is a harder wood. I cut the basic form with a band saw then shape with a spoke shave, hook knife, and various gouges. I use a pneumatic drum sander to smooth curves. |
Alder is great for bowls. It's plentiful on Vancouver Island. I clamp it to a work bench vise to rough out when it's green using a long handled adze, Swedish hook knife and a custom made hook knife. I slowly dry it so it won't check. It changes from golden to rich rust as it ages. |
People have given me other woods to use, such as Catalpa, Yew, Cherry, Plum, and Apple, which have produced unique results.
Private Commissions:
Please contact me if you would like to commission me to custom-design and carve for you.
| Commission: |
Close Up: |
Salmon Panel
Red Cedar.
about 22" x 40"
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Engagement Bowl
Alder Wood with inlaid abalone (paua) shell.
about 14" long, 10" wide, 4 ¾" high
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"Rene, our/your bowl and spoon presided at our wedding altar,
candles to either side, a heart shaped rock in a light dancing room
filled with joy and good wishes. We made our vows before family and friends marking a journey that began in some sense with your very fine craft
and the presence and spirit you vested in it. For this we honour you
and again express our gratitude. You are with us in your work
and will be through future generations."
~ David Campbell, Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada |
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Whale Chief Staff
Yellow Cedar, leather, abalone (paua), copper, beads,
rocks.
about 5'6" high
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The Whale Chief Staff was commissioned for a wedding present. The design was inspired by the illustration in the book, Storm Boy, by Paul Owen Lewis. This Whale Chief Staff symbolizes the desire to remember Home where our heart beats strong and powerful. By holding tightly to the vision of Home, we are able to feel the connection with our family, friends, and community. As a home guardian and guide, this ceremonial instrument brings safety, song, vision, and love, dancing in our eyes and hearts. As a talking stick, speak through the blowhole. Others will listen until it is passed to another. Speaking and Listening are equal partners of great wisdom and understanding.
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"As a gift for my Mom's 60th birthday I commissioned Rene to carve a salad bowl to match the raven and eagle salad servers ( a previous gift to my Mom). Rene's creation truly exceeded my expectations, the bowl is sure to become a family heirloom. Rene is an amazingly gifted artist. Thanks Rene!!!"
Jason McWhinnie - Tofino, British Columbia |
"Rene produces some beautifully elegant work. We have several of her pieces displayed in our home and office and, almost without exception, they provoke many favorable comments from those who see them. Her work with yellow cedar, the surface textures and shapes, is very sensual, demanding to be touched. It's as though she has turned the wood into butter. Her designs are elegant and beautiful to the eye, using occasional accents of paua shell that highlight her meticulously carved motifs. It has been a pleasure to work with Rene and we wholeheartedly commend her work and her level of professionalism."
~ Kay Kitagawa and Andy Johnson-Laird, Portland, Oregon. |
Carving design inspirations:
It's quite evident that Indigenous Cultures, especially of the Western Coast of Canada, have inspired most of my carving designs. I learned to carve from Master Carver, Henry Nolla. He was taught by his Swedish grandfather and several First Nations artists, notably our friend Roy Henry Vickers.
Thank you, Henry!
(Henry Nolla, 1931-2004.
A friend and an Inspiration)
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While I lived with Henry on Chesterman Beach, Tofino, BC, we were surrounded by the wild and invigorating pacific coast environment. Many other carvers would show up at Henry's End where we would discuss form line, ovoids, wood grain, and share the spirit of the beach while we carved. Eagles made their nest in the tall trees above the rocks at the edge of the surf. Ravens chortled above the carving shed. Occasionally our dog, Quioutsi, would start to bark and howl indicating he smelled a bear. We would collect mussels from the rocks at low tide or row out past Frank Island to fish for our meals. Stories were told and retold around beach fires. Once a sweat lodge was made and we participated in a special four day ceremony. I was baptized in west coast style on Shell Beach in a Naming Ceremony. It is my love for the Earth and reverence for those who lived before me and their unique artistic style that inspires my own original designs.
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