This is not just a hobby, this is a lifestyle.

Known as the master carver, he has been doing this since he was 8 years old. You do not just proclaim yourself a master wood carver. The only way you can achieve that status is from the acknowledgement of others.

A student asked, “How long does it take someone to learn how to carve wood like that?” and his response stuck with me. All he said was, “There is no time, it just matters what is up here,” then pointed to his head. I watched him carve a block of wood into an amazing piece of art called The Wise Man in about 45 minutes. The younger carvers sat around and watched with me, explaining the process and his techniques.

He did not use any machines, just a mallet and a variety of carving tools. Each tool had a specific purpose and no tool was the same. Each stroke of the mallet was without hesitation and he had the finished product in his head before he began carving. Only the best of his work makes it to his wood shop, and each and every one of them are masterpieces.