Each relief carving is hand carved out of basswood. Basswood is native to the Ozarks where I reside: however, I only work with northern basswood from the northeastern United States. Basswood is one of the few trees that are both soft and tightly grained. Many trees contain one or the other of these qualities, but few contain both. Southern basswood grows more quickly because of the longer growing season and produces a wood that is darker in color and much harder, therefore it is less desirable for woodcarving.
Once the carving is completed, I paint each piece using watercolor paints, unless of course, a natural finish is requested. The end result is a carved painting, a combination of two distinct art forms that come together to create a unique and beautiful painted relief sculpture.
This same technique is used to carve fireplace mantles, door panels, table tops and other items designed to enhance the interior of a home or office.
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The Signature Collection represents the finest woodcarving paintings created by John Engler. In each piece, the rich tradition of artistic excellence demanded by generations of artists in the Engler family can be seen.
Each piece is hand carved and hand painted in the traditional style of woodcarving and watercolor painting. This collection includes hand carved and hand painted reliefs shown in the following pages, hand carved reliefs stained naturally and architectural carvings such as fireplace mantles, door panels, and table tops, just to name a few.
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The Tradesman Collection represents items designed by John Engler, carved and painted with the same high standards of artistic excellence demanded in the signature collection.
This collection is priced more moderately and is intended to be more
affordable without compromising quality. Some of the items included in
the tradesman collection include woodcarving blanks and John's own "Engler
Family Christmas Collection."
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Custom
orders are accepted as well. I can recreate any building
you
desire (i.e.,
grandparents home, barn, cabin, watermill, parents home, etc.)
out of basswood. I carve and paint it to an exact likeness
of the original. A good
photograph
is required, but a drawing can be
used as well. Animals, birds and other
subject matter are also accepted
as custom orders. These will require
photographs for specific items
such as your horse, dog and other wildlife.
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Copyright © 2007 John Engler and Associates. All rights reserved.
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