Gary P Carver

About Gary P Carver

Gary P Carver is a woodcarver who transitioned from his scientific background to art that embraces nature and the environment. His unpainted and stylized carvings of birds are designed to show natural beauty and to connect others to the aesthetic qualities of wood.

With a Ph.D. in solid-state physics from Cornell University, Gary's career revolved around laboratory research and technical management, notably overseeing the Federal Government's metric program. Upon retirement, he embraced a new path that honors his love of nature and aligns with his surname. He became a wood carver.

Alongside his professional career, Gary's artistic journey began when, as a teenager, he worked as a wood shop counselor at a summer camp. Over the years, he cultivated a lifelong passion for working with wood and developed his carving skills by practicing, rather than through formal instruction. This allowed his style to continually evolve, inspired by the idea that creating artwork from wood was like bringing part of a tree back to life.

To create his carvings, Gary uses handheld power tools and wood salvaged from old cabins and barns, as well as wood he finds in forests. He often leaves part of the original surface of the wood to show its heritage. He prefers to use wood that has pronounced grain patterns, a feature most woodcarvers avoid. His favorite wood is American chestnut.

Gary likes to carve stand-alone bird shapes, especially birds of prey. He also creates wall hangings with woodpeckers and nuthatches and turns dry vases. He finishes his pieces with clear polyurethane, ensuring they remain maintenance-free for years to come.

Committed to sharing his love of wood with others, Gary's long-term goal is to continue carving and educating people about the beauty of wood, which is a natural material that was once alive. As a member emeritus of the board of directors of The American Chestnut Foundation, he combines his love for wood with his dedication to environmental conservation.

Gary's work has garnered admiration and loyalty from collectors, many of whom tell him that his pieces bring them joy and a smile every time they look at them. He finds profound satisfaction in transforming wood into art that brings happiness to others and in knowing that pieces he produced not only beautify people's homes but also tell a story of renewal and respect for the natural world.

Gary lives and works in Ijamsville, Maryland.