Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Baldwin
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have always been busy in some sort of artistic field for my work , the bird carving part came almost 38 years ago. On vacation to Chincoteague, Virginia, I was introduced to the art of wildfowl carvings that the local islanders have been doing for many decades. My family visited the beach and I sought out some local carvers and learned all about the local history and the art of bird carving. I took this new interest home and began my first bird carving. I really did not have the correct tools or a complete understanding of this art form but I did complete my first bird carving in roughly 9 months. It was at best, a tug of war type of experience but I really loved the journey and have never looked back. Through the years I have improved my artistry and have reached the quality expected by other professionals in the bird carving industry. I spent several years doing bird carving contests and competitions in the national and international venue. I was able to earn a world class title and have invitations to some very exclusive art shows and galleries. Ten years ago I started to teach classes at a local Art Center for others to learn and enjoy the art of bird carving. I wrote my first book on this topic in 2018
and have co-authored two others since then. I continue my teaching capacity as a contributing writer for the Wildfowl Carving Magazine currently. Today, at 70 years old, I enjoy a semi-retired pace with my wild fowl carving artworks and maintain a studio in Downtown Akron, Ohio, In the Summit Art Space building.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the benefits of being able to actually retire from a working life is the occasion of being able to reflect on ones journey. I don’t know anyone in the arts, being visual or performing arts to ever reach any level of success without traveling a long and varied road. I know I have been told in the past that I will never “make it” as well as being told I am one of the best. Somewhere in the middle of all that is most likely more centered to the truth. The one consistent quality of the adventure is to never stop believing in yourself. Every day you can experience some forks In the road. Some lead to great opportunities and others can lead to mistakes or misfortune. Persistence is the best vehicle to take on this road to your chosen career and faith in your abilities will be in the driver’s seat. Of course the great foundation to me for all of this is the fact that I truly enjoy what I do. A fitting way to finish a lifetime of labor to the joy of being freely creative.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
One of the features I like about this art form is it is never repetitive or boring. Birds come in a huge variety of sizes from hummingbirds to large birds of prey. An equally varied choice of coloring and attitudes. ( sitting or flying ). Is the carving placed on a post or rock. Does it sit in a branch or several branches. So many choices and narratives to explore. Aways challenging to design and to price. On the topic of price, I do not have one unhappy customer. I believe to give any customer a little bit more than they expect. A somewhat ancient business policy I guess but one that has served me and my clients most fairly my whole life. So depending on the size, attitude and habitat, pricing is quite varied. I have done enough pieces in my career and can quote custom carvings accurately. Give me a call or send an e-mail and I will gladly help you with any quote or inquiry.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
One might be curious to wonder what one needs to be a good bird carver. It would have to begin with the love of your subject. It is very helpful to love birds. The process of “decorative” ( realistic ) bird carving requires a good understanding of birds from both an anatomical and behavioral factors. The artists that do this work have a great knowledge of the subject matter. Since we also use habitat to assist the carving in the presentation, knowledge of the birds surroundings is important. You typically would not carve a Penguin and place it in a Palm tree. The bird carving needs to be placed in a proper, normal habitat. Since the birds carving competitions allow other materials for the habitat part of the artwork, the artist becomes equally able to work with metals as well as wood. Making branches, leaves or bird legs are popular use of different metals. Some birds have really different types of colors and finishes and you need to acquire a good knowledge of the many different kinds of paint to achieve a desired finish. Some level of engineering is helpful to make the bird carving appear natural on a branch or on the wing. I have heard from time to time that this is some sort of craft and that couldn’t be more distant from the truth. I have a varied art history in many fine art disaplines and have used these techniques consistently with my carving presentations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://songofwood.com
- Other: tbducman2@gmail.com
