Denizens Of The Desert

Hand carved and painted wood sculptures by Stan Peterson 
Carving with a few chisels and a knife requires an unique focus in order to bring pieces of wood to a poetic life. This also means that the hand holding the wood keeps being rotated to see the emerging form from all dimensions. Over many days, the emerging figure seems to speak. I’ve been doing this for more that 30 years,  and the process, as well as, the resultant sculptures offer solace from the noise of the News.  

I first encountered the Northern New Mexico Santos carvings  during my first visit to the International Folk Art Museum. This initial Santa Fe trip in the 80’s gave me a sense of a sympathetic home. Since then, I have returned several times each year for ongoing inspiration. 

I now carve animals, birds and figures while staying on an organic farm in Nambe.

-Stan Peterson