Featuring —

Victor & Cecilia Tapia

Victor and Cecilia Tapia have achieved wide spread recognition with their award winning bird carvings. Each is a specialist within the bird carving discipline — Victor with bird anatomy and carving, Cecilia with bird colour and painting. A great deal of research and preparation goes into each carving. Extensive field work is done to observe movements and habitat, study skins are used as a supplimentary colour reference, and clay mock-ups are used to help visualize possible compositions before the carving is started. But there is much more to these carvings than just anatomy and colour. The spirit of the subject is shown in lifelike gesture and form. The ephemeral changes of colour are captured as they relate to the setting. Victor and Cecilia enjoy travelling and working together, co-ordinating their individual specialties to create a complete carving. Here is a recent interview with them about their work:

How did you get started carving and painting wildlife?

Victor started to carve when he was very young, as a hobby. However, in 1992 when he arrived in this area, he met Hal McGray a wood carver and became interesting in bird carving. After taking some courses with him, Victor realized that he had the ability to fulfill his dream with wood and enjoy nature. Cecilia on the other hand, was always attracted to art, specially painting, but she never thought she had the abilities to do it. Only when Victor encouraged her to paint his work did she feel she could fulfill her artist's instinct.

What is it about woodcarving that you find so appealing?

What Victor and Cecilia find so appealing about woodcarving is the chance to work together and enjoy & study nature. With just an ordinary square of wood, some patience and time, it can be transformed into a beautiful piece of art. Trying to copy & duplicate nature is a great challenge when you see the outcome!

What about the future directions for your work?

Each year Victor and Cecilia continue to participate in at least two competitions, one of which is the World Championships in USA. As they consistently look to improve their carving and painting, they hope to begin carving more traditional pieces along with other new demands.

First photo:
Victor in his workshop applying fine details to a carving.

2nd photo:
Cecilia using an air brush to blend the subtle colours on a robin's neck.

3rd photo:
Blocks of wood with the forms roughed out, ready for the next stage of carving.

4th photo:
A fine wood burning tool is used to achieve the life-like detail of individual feathers.

5th photo:
Nearing completion of the carving stage.

For more photos of Victor and Cecilia's work and contact information, please see their Artist Profile page.

Previously Featured Artists:
Steve Smith
Timothy Smith
Virginia Smith
Kevin Wain