Sunflowers for Sustainability:
Carving sunflowers marks a new chapter in my floral sculpture. These pieces really command the space they occupy, offering a lifetime of inspiration. Much like the sunflower's unwavering turn toward the sun, they embody the strength, independence, and resolve we must embrace in order to meet the urgent challenge of stabilizing our climate. Their resilience reminds us to remain focused on the future, standing tall in the face of adversity, and committed to a better, more sustainable world.
Shoulders of giants
This meticulous carving captures the sunflower in its full strength, symbolizing nature’s resilience and the collective responsibility we must embrace to combat climate change. The sculpture’s layered textures reflect the strength and unity needed to create lasting environmental change.
North Pole
Sumac is an ideal wood to work with—it dries smoothly without checking and carries a unique greenish tint, perfect for creating leaves and pieces with distinctive wood tones. In North Pole, I’ve used this wood to capture the urgent reality of the shrinking ice caps. This piece serves as a poignant reminder that the forces of nature are increasingly fragile, and the time to act on climate change is now.
Sea Kelp
Sea Kelp is an iconic cornerstone of the marine ecosystem. I studied oceanography for several years, and am very aware of the role oceans have played in buffering us from climate impacts. We must change course, however, because, as we are seeing, the mighty ocean is not immune to damaging effects of carbon pollution and has limited buffering capacity.
Our Fingerprint
This incredible shape is the cross-cut from a Black Locust tree, sourced from a property in Freeport, Maine. I often think of the growth rings of a tree as nature’s fingerprint—each ring is unique, shaped by the temperatures and moisture of its time period. What strikes me now is that the rings we see today, and those that will grow in the coming century, will tell a story of climate shifts shaped more by human impact than by otherwise natural conditions.
As you look at this sculpture, consider not just the passage of time, but the urgent need for change. These rings are a record, and we have the power to alter the story they’ll tell for future generations.
Survivor
This basswood daisy blossom, framed by a Maine apple tree, is a tribute to climate action. The daisy itself symbolizes both nature’s vulnerability and its remarkable ability to endure despite the havoc wrought by corporate interests and their harmful industrial byproducts. It serves as a reminder that, while nature faces tremendous challenges, its resilience offers hope for a better future.
Your move
Your Move contrasts two opposing forces—the natural growth of a flower, constrained by man-made chains. This piece powerfully symbolizes the impact of carbon pollution, illustrating how human actions are stifling the environment’s ability to thrive. It’s a reminder that while nature seeks to grow, it is increasingly bound by the consequences of our choices.