Another month down in 2023, and I’m looking forward to Santa Fe Spring!

Last month I shared the progress I’d made with both the Kubbestol and the Ganesh Om pieces, and now both pieces are nearing completion. These pieces commanded most of my carving time in February so I’m excited to finish them up soon to get started on some new projects.

I’m getting very close to finishing this Norwegian-style Kubbestol (wooden chair) carved in northern basswood from a single log. It is carved in the baroque acanthus motif to give it movement and complexity.

The Greeks developed the Acanthus patterns around 450 BCE and it has been adopted by many regions over the centuries. This motif is still regularly used today in art and architecture.

The only remaining tasks I have for this project are to clean the edges, add the decorative cuts, add the seat, and seal it and it will be completed. This is the second kubbestol I’ve created and I have thoroughly enjoyed the process.

Last month I mentioned that a friend of a past client reached out to commission this cool Ganesh Om piece, and now I can share the process and final version with you!

After everything else was finished, I stained this piece, let it dry, and will be delivering it to the client soon! Here’s the completed piece I’ll be giving them:

---

We had 6″ of snow on February 14th! It’s days like this that make me realize just what a beautiful place Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico are to be.

I also recently led my men’s hiking group on the Santa Cruz Lake Trail (6,800′ elevatIon) near historic Chimayo, NM. (About 30 mins from Santa Fe). The trail is a 4.5 mile out and back with 400’ of elevation change with views of Santa Cruz lake. As you can see, the lake is partially frozen this time of year. The weather was snowy (34F) and cloudy.

---

Thanks for checking in about the updates from last month, looking forward to catching up with you again soon!

Want to see behind-the-scenes of my artistic processes? Follow the ABDO Instagram.

If you’re curious about commissioning a piece for yourself or someone else, don’t hesitate to contact me to discuss further. You can contact me via email by clicking here.

Haven’t joined the email list yet? Join here.

Doug Oliver

Fine Woodcarver and Sculpting