Carving small animal forms

Carol Russell is a self-taught timber artist who has been working in wood for most of her adult life. Beginning in 1987 with small furniture projects and antique restoration, she spent much time in the workshops of craftspeople who were prepared to share their knowledge with her. She spent several years working on small commission projects, exhibiting her work in galleries in Brisbane, Canberra and Sydney. 

Carol became interested in teaching, and in 1997 began teaching woodwork at Carbatec, a Brisbane supplier of woodworking tools who employed her to create a woodworking school. The Australian Wood Review has published several of her articles on tools and woodworking techniques. 

She now works full time teaching and creating unique pieces of tableware from Australia’s forest timbers. 

“With my carved animals, I try to capture the essence of the creature. Personality is more important than anatomical accuracy. They are little sculptures that invite the viewer to hold them and observe them through the prism of their own life. 

I hope they’ll see reflections of a much-loved pet or a certain characteristic that will make them feel something. After many years of making furniture and using machinery and modern production techniques, I became drawn to simple hand tools such as carving chisels, knives and spoke shaves. 

Working slowly by hand gives you the time to read the timber and use the ‘features’ contained within. I’ve found it a gentler, more considered way to work. Where possible I try to use salvaged material or offcuts from furniture makers. I have no desire to see a tree cut down on my behalf, there is so much material available.”