I carve lifelike, lifesize sculptures of New Zealand birds, from salvaged native NZ timbers. I'm now based in rural Ranfurly, Maniototo, Central Otago.

I carve with native New Zealand woods like totara, rimu, matai, southern rata, kauri and native broadleaf. The wood is salvaged from building renovations, fencepost and various other random sources. As for the legs on the small birds I go from carving wood to carving silver wire, which I deliberately tarnish to achieve their black appearance. And for the eyes, depending on the colour, semi-precious stone or glass.

After the initial roughing out using a band saw, most of the work is then achieved using traditional carving hand tools, as I find them superior to machinery because they are less noisy, produce no irritating dust, and often work progresses faster. The fine feather detailing I burn in using a pyrography tool (hot poker pen) I then paint the birds as they appear in life using fine acrylics.

Note: We can arrange a commission any of Luke’s bird sculptures. Please enquire for more information.