About the Artist
Hi, I'm Marc, aka Max's Daddy!
MaxDaddyWoodCarvings began during the COVID pandemic, although becoming a woodcarver certainly wasn't part of my original plan.
When my son's daycare closed, I left my job to stay home and take care of him. Suddenly, I found myself spending a lot more time at home, and I decided to try something I'd been curious about for years: woodcarving.
Why woodcarving? Well, I've always liked knives, so it seemed like a pretty good excuse to put them to use!
I started carving something every day. My first attempts weren't exactly masterpieces. In fact, looking back at some of them now makes me laugh. But each carving was a little better than the last, and before long, I was hooked.
About a year later, people began offering me money to carve figures for them. Initially, I turned them down. I was perfectly happy carving for myself and making gifts for friends and family.
Eventually, as the pandemic dragged on, I decided to open an Etsy shop and see whether my new hobby might help pay a few bills.
To my surprise, people actually wanted to buy my carvings!
How I Make My Carvings
Every figure begins as a solid piece of basswood and is carved individually using hand-held carving knives. No CNC machines or automated carving equipment. Just a piece of wood, a sharp knife, and a little patience.
Once the carving is finished, I use a woodburning tool to add details, then paint with watered-down acrylics. I deliberately let the wood grain and knife marks show through because I like my carvings to look and feel like wood.
Finally, each piece gets its finishing touches before heading off to its new home.
Depending on the character and complexity, a carving can take several hours to complete. Some take considerably longer.
What I Love to Carve
Much of my inspiration comes from the movies, television shows, books, and characters I've enjoyed throughout my life.
I especially love bringing familiar characters to life in wood, whether they're from a favorite childhood Christmas special, a classic monster movie, or a fantasy adventure.
Over the years, I've carved hundreds of different designs, and I still find myself coming up with new ideas faster than I can carve them.
Why I Keep Carving
I'm certainly not getting rich doing this, but that was never really the point.
I enjoy the process of turning an ordinary block of wood into something recognizable, and I love knowing that something I made with my own hands is sitting on somebody else's shelf making them smile.
This website is my way of sharing the larger collection, including carvings that have never appeared in my Etsy shop, some of my earliest attempts, and whatever else comes out of my workshop.
Thanks for stopping by and taking a look around. I hope you find something that brings back a good memory, makes you laugh, or simply puts a smile on your face.
aka Max's Daddy
