The Virtual Table of Steve Thalacker

I started carving over 40 years ago as time allowed with a growing family. Mostly my carving ideas are taken from pictures in magazines, pictures I have taken, wildlife books, carving books and a couple classes, so there is nobody to blame for my mistakes other than myself. I have learned through carving that I don’t make mistakes anymore, only variations. I do find extra time to carve sitting around a campfire when fishing or camping. Major variations make great kindling.
I have dabbled in many styles of carving, including caricatures, human busts, decoys, ornaments and animals. Most of the carvings are done in basswood but occasionally butternut when available. I do incorporate a woodburner for detail as needed, especially in the animals for fur texturing. Painting is done with layers of watered down acrylic paint.