Dennis J. Taylor

New Canaan, Connecticut

Dennis Taylor carves by hand, using a single carving knife and, occasionally, a hand tool called a gouge. His delightful creatures are made from basswood (also called Linden), a wood sought by carvers for its favorable qualities. Each piece of wood is unique, with its own set of characteristics and occasional flaws embedded within it which makes each carving unique. Dennis paints with highly diluted colors to allow the grain and hand-carved texture to be seen. Each carving is finished with two coats of beeswax, carnauba wax, and walnut oil—all non-toxic and food safe—then hand buffed to give it a satin sheen.