Landscape & Botanical Wood Carving

The foreground grasses were such a nice surprise.

The path in my reference was half obscured by shadow. I didn't want it brightened too much, just readable. It came through as a thin break in the dark foreground, which is exactly how I remember seeing it.

The piece arrived in good order and the edges on the frame are neat. I had pictured a slightly lighter image overall. Once it went on the wall by the stairs, where it gets more light, the valley really opened up.

The gum leaves were my favourite detail. Delicate without getting lost.

I like how much space they left above the mountains.

We chose a photo of the coast in winter rather than a pretty summer shot. The beach grass and flat water translate surprisingly well. The panel has the same cool, open feeling I remember from that walk.

The view feels familiar even with all the colour taken away.

There was a low stone wall in the photo that nobody else would notice, but I wanted it there. The carving keeps its uneven line. It makes the scene feel like the road to our house rather than any hillside.

The photograph was taken from the window of the apartment where I grew up. It's an unremarkable view if you don't know it: a slope, a few roofs, and a line of trees. I asked them to keep the rooftops small rather than making them the main subject. That's what made the finished piece work for me. From across the room I see the shape of the hill, and when I stand closer I can see the old road winding through it.

Our wedding bouquet had a spray of tiny native flowers I thought would disappear in wood. They’re there, all the way out at the edges. It looks especially good near a window where the light comes from one side.

The ridgeline from our holiday photo came through beautifully.