From Retirement to Carving a Passion

Wood carving wasn’t always part of my life. In fact, for 40 years, I worked in the oil and gas production industry, never once considering myself an artist. But when my wife, Vicki, and I retired to Navarre, Florida, I quickly realized that spending all my time on the golf course wasn’t going to cut it.

We’ve always enjoyed attending the local art festivals—Vicki for the art, and me for the food trucks. But over time, I found myself drawn to the craftsmanship of the woodworkers, fascinated by their ability to turn raw materials into something beautiful. That curiosity sparked a new passion, and I decided to try my hand at carving.

Finding My Medium

Starting out, I didn’t want to invest heavily in expensive, exotic wood, knowing I’d make plenty of mistakes along the way. So, I got creative—salvaging scrap wood from construction sites and repurposing dock and pier remnants that washed ashore after Hurricanes Nate and Sally. Friends and neighbors even pitched in, letting me know when they came across wood that might be useful.

For the first couple of years, I focused on small, nautical-themed wall hangings using these reclaimed materials. Looking back at those early pieces, I see how much I’ve grown as a woodcarver—and I’ve shared some of those first creations here as a reminder of where it all began.

Now, my carvings serve a greater purpose, helping us raise funds for breast cancer research through the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk. What started as a hobby has become a mission, and I’m grateful for every piece I create that contributes to this cause.

Evolving the Craft

While my early carvings featured fun, cartoonish figures, I soon felt the urge to challenge myself—pushing my skills toward more realistic and detailed pieces. To achieve this, I knew I needed to work with higher-quality wood.

That’s when I discovered Facebook Marketplace as a goldmine for locally sourced wood slabs. The variety available continues to amaze me, and the journey of finding the perfect piece has become just as rewarding as the carving itself. Even more, Vicki and I have met some incredible people along the way, turning our “wood shopping” trips into an adventure of their own.

Each new carving is an opportunity to grow, refine my craft, and contribute to a cause close to our hearts.

As my skills improved, so did my desire for the latest and greatest tools. I quickly convinced myself that better equipment would take my carvings to the next level—and let’s just say Home Depot and Ace Hardware have certainly benefited from my newfound passion! Each new tool has helped refine my technique, allowing me to bring even more detail and life to my work.

What started as a simple hobby has now become both an artistic pursuit and a meaningful way to give back.