Sean Grady | carvings

SANTA CARVINGS

In these pages, you will find a growing assortment of one-of-a-kind, NOT from a pattern, hand carved Santa Clauses. The wood comes from any number of desert trees, mesquite, olive, ironwood, even cactus (yes, it is a wood, surrounded by that green pulpy flesh and thorns). The inspiration comes from the wood, the Christmas spirit, the legend of Santa Claus (in his many names, shapes and forms), and last but not least, the many other talented Santa carvers out there.

They are almost all carved from driftwood, and because each piece of driftwood is different, sculpted by the sun and the sea, no two will ever be alike. Yes, driftwood can be difficult, unpredictable to carve, but I don't think I would ever trade it in for a piece of factory cut carving stock. The driftwood is beautiful and has a soul of it's own, which I hope you enjoy as much as I do.

I collect the pieces from as many different beaches as I can, in order to preserve their presence for others to enjoy as well. The majority come from the many desolate beaches of the Sea of Cortez, where the desert comes right down to meet the sea. There was a hurricane there last year, which washed up tons of driftwood on the shores all the way down the Baja penninsula.

Once I get them home, they sit patiently in a wooden crate while I find, carve and paint the fellows in them. The carving is done with palm chisels. Some are filed down after carving with rifler files, while some are left unfiled. It really depends on what each piece tells me to do. The painting is done with acrylic paints, and every piece leaves at least a portion of the beautiful, sun bleached wood showing through. After they are sealed, they are ready to travel to your home and join (or start!) your collection. Thank you and enjoy!

LARGER VIEW

Santa #01
This regal fellow looks around knowledgeably from an intriguing, three legged piece of driftwood.

7 1/2" tall x 13 1/2" wide - freestanding.
SOLD

Santa #02
Standing in the moonlight on a starry winter night, this Santa is dressed in the natural brown of the wood he is carved from, trimmed with white fur. The cold wind has wrapped his long, flowing beard around him like a scarf.

12" tall - wall hanging or needs to be supported (by wall or other).
$75

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Santa #03
Is this naturally brown robed Santa emerging from the tree, or is the tree growing out of him? Only the beard, hands and face are painted.

8" tall - shelf piece, needs to be supported (by wall or other).
SOLD

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Santa #04
This little crescent-shaped ornament shows a classical Santa on a snowy night. Cactus wood.

8" tall x 1" wide - ornament, wall hanging, or supported shelf piece.
SOLD

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Santa #05
With his hat falling down over his eyes, this Santa's beard flows back around the natural bowl that nature sculpted into this piece. I have filled the bowl with a handful of sea stones, but I imagine jelly beans would work equally as well...

6" tall x 9" long - freestanding
$60

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Santa #06
This grand Saint Nicholas flows out of a gorgeous piece of olive wood. Intricately carved and lightly oiled, this fellow would make an excellent centerpiece or addition to a shelf of other fine Santas.

11" x 10"(variable dimensions) - freestanding
$150

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