Carving: Wood Wall Art
Carving Wood Wall Art for Your Home
When we bought the last house. Our walls were very empty (obviously), the house had just white walls everywhere except the powder room. The powder room was painted red by the previous owner and they tried to cover it with white paint. the result of it, is red paint blended through and the wall looks really, really bad. and the builder's grade texture. You know that ” rustic wall look” I really don't like the look of that texture. The plan is, someday to remove all of that stuff from walls and the ceiling. But for now, I have a challenge. How would we decorate our walls to make them more unique, more personal, and not like everybody else's home? Not a cookie-cutter Home decor is always one of the first things I and my wife think about.
That is the problem: cookie-cutter-looking walls. People try to shop and they find a piece of art but the chances are thousand of people has the same product on a wall. I know it is not necessarily a problem. But we would like to see something unique. One-of-a-kind piece decor.
Please try to understand my mindset. I was born in the Soviet Union and everything was the same almost in every house. Same furniture, same dining tables, chairs even wall decor.
I remember the condo unit of my uncle and ant. We would visit them every week for taking a bath. We did not have any plumbing in our one-room studio and we had to find a way to get clean. One of the ways was to visit Uncle Yuriy and Ant Valya. They were really nice to me and my brother Volodya. The point I am trying to bring: in the small bedroom of our cousin Slava, on the wall above the bed was a wooden wall art piece. It was simple carving white strokes on a black background but it inspired me to become a woodcarver.
Any way. We had a very good conversation with my wife about How to decorate our home in a unique and personal way.
“Honey (yes does call me that and sometimes Honechka with Russian flair), I've been thinking about decorating our home or at list living room in a unique and personal way not like everybody else. Why don't we decorate our walls with your carved art some kinda wall decoration? Something like hand-carved wood wall panels on something like that as long as it is hand carved, some kinda wall décor? I want to see a “Wood Art” made by You. If You don't want to carve a panel you can always make a small carved wood wall art something like floral wood carved wall decor. I am not expecting you will cover all walls with a panel set :)”
“That's a great idea! I've always carved for somebody's home and never for ours, it would be a great way to add a personal touch to our home. What style would you like to see? Tropical Floral since we are in Florida? Or Art Deco? How about Wood wall Sculpture or something like that? Or maybe in a style of ” modern farmhouse?”
“It's not just about the style, but the process of creating it you can pour Your soul into it. It can be a form of self-expression and a way to tap into your creativity, no one will tell you what to carve. I want it would be “You” expressed on hand carved wall, it does not mean “your statue” :), I don't care what wood You will use, mandala wood or basswood, teak wood, or pine wood. Whatever!!! I just want to see carved wall art, or what color it will be “white wood” or brown finish
“Mandala wood??? Mandala Design you mean? Mandala is not wood. But You're right. I can make some kind of Large carved wall art or carved wood wall art round. It could be a floral carved wood ornament. I really don't care much about the look of hand carved teak wood, I like Basswood – the queen of all woods. I can cave from basswood almost anything. I also don't care for a rustic wood “look” too much. I can make a wall of our living room like a “floral wall” I mean “Floral wall Decor”It will be a handmade intricately carved wooden wall. I know it won't be easy to find the time. Time is always the problem. But I'm willing to put effort to make it happen, and maybe—- maybe you gonna like it. I sure HOPE so!!!
I carved a wood cat, but it ended up looking more like a mouse with an attitude problem.
“That's what I love to hear. Remember, As a wood carver, you have the power to create something truly unique and meaningful. Don't let this opportunity slip away. Unlock your full potential and take your craft to the next level, creating lasting works of art that you can be proud of. Take a step towards mastering wood carving and creating something that truly represents who you are as an artist. With every stroke of the chisel, you have the ability to bring your vision to life and leave a lasting impression. Imagine creating a beautiful piece of art for our home, something that truly reflects Your personal style and creativity. You are a woodcarver and you can do it. Let's do it, go to your shop and start today, express yourself.
Imagine the feeling of satisfaction as you look at the piece you've created, knowing that it's one-of-a-kind and it's in your home not someone else's, it will make you happy and me as well. Don't miss out on this chance to make your home truly special.
Wood carving is your chance to create something unique and meaningful that will last. Don't miss out on this opportunity yourself as an artist
Carving wood is a way to make something special that represents you and makes you proud. In a good way!!!
— well, she really did not say that way, but the meaning of it was exactly like that. —
“Thanks for the encouragement. I'm excited to get started and see what I can create. After what You said I can start on carving panel”
“I can't wait to see it. Remember, don't put too much pressure on yourself, just have fun with it and let your creativity flow.”
“I will. And I know this will be a great way to add a personal touch to our home and make it truly feel like our own. Well, it is our own now, but You know what I mean”
“Exactly. Now let's get started and make our home even more beautiful! Just DO IT!”
How to Choose the Right Panel Decor for Your Room Theme: Considerations for Color and Size
Let's talk about what I think is the right approach and what in my opinion the first steps should be taken for decorating walls with your carved wall art.
In my opinion, the most important is the size of the wood wall decor. It could be a small wall plaque ( like hanging art) or the whole wood panel.
One of my real-life projects was Venetian Room for a Private residence overseas. For three walls of this project, I had to come up with a design based on the end of 15th and beginning of 16th-century Venice. And as Yu probably know, 15th and 16th-century royal people loved very ornate surroundings in interior and exterior.
Some people after seeing my work, say: ” You were born in the wrong era. Anachronist!!! Born in the wrong century.
To be honest, I think I was born at the right time and in the right century. As much as I love the art approach of the 15th-19th centuries. In past, I would have too many competitors. To many woodcarvers to compete. I would most likely get a lot less for the same amount of work. (I am talking about payment for my work). Now on another hand, I don't have too many competitors and I can charge a lot more for the same work.
What do you call a woodcarver who's always in a rush? A whittle-busy person.
Back on track.
I was talking about the Venice room. Three walls and part of a ceiling I have to cover with some kinda paneling. And just because it was in the style of Venice every panel had to have some wood carved floral design. Carving wood is my life and I jumped on this project.
In this Project, I could not use any wood that was not used in Venice back then. I could not use anything like “lotus wood” lumber. Is there even such a thing? Lotus wood? I had to use a limewood. the same lumber/ timber that the original craftsmen of Venice used back then. That room has to be like an “antique carved “feel of it.
Talking about size. We had multiple conversations with a “BIG Designer” main project “decorator”. And as You know “they-know-all” type of people. PHDs of PHDs…
Anyway after multiple conversations “two-step design dancing” We decided it has to be authentic to the period. It could not be something like a carved wall plaque. Walls are ten feet tall so every panel has to go from the floor to the ceiling. Every one of those three walls would be a “Large wall” covered with the carved panel. I asked a designer: ” why don't you use something like plaster?”
” Well, the client wants to use natural wood “solid wood” in that room. It has to do with how it feels.”
“Ok”
” Carved floral wall will take time”
” Client is fine with that”
- Anyway, it took me 2 years to carve.
III. Inspiration and Design of wall sculptures
Let's talk about wall sculptures – they're like eye candy for your walls! They're super cool and can add some serious depth and personality to any room.
Seriously, they can do it all! Wall sculptures make an excellent focal point, add some zing to your space, and can even serve as functional art. It's like having your cake and eating it too!
And the best part is that the possibilities are endless when it comes to inspiration and design. You can choose from abstract, geometric, organic, or figurative styles. Plus, they can be made from all kinds of materials like metal, wood, and glass – painted or left in their natural state.
Just make sure you pick a sculpture that fits your room's vibe. For example, a metal abstract sculpture would fit right in with a modern minimalist room. On the other hand, a wooden figurative sculpture would be an excellent addition to a rustic or bohemian space.
And don't forget about size and placement! Big sculptures make a statement, while smaller ones are appropriate for accenting another decor. You can group them together or let them stand alone, whichever floats your boat.
At the end of the day, your wall sculpture should reflect your style and add some pizzazz to your pad. So go ahead, get inspired, and pick a sculpture that makes you smile every time you see it!
IV. Hand Carving Techniques for wall decor
When it comes to creating a wood wall sculpture, hand carving can be a good process. But before you start carving away, it's essential to have a game plan. You'll start by selecting a piece of wood well-suited for your project and sketch a design you're excited about.
Now comes the fun part – the carving! To achieve a high level of detail and precision, it's essential to use the right tools and techniques. You'll want a sharp set of carving gouges and veiners and a mallet to drive them through the wood.
As you carve away, working in small sections and making deliberate, precise cuts is essential. You can use various techniques to create texture and depth, such as chip carving, relief carving, and even wood burning. And don't be afraid to make mistakes – they can often lead to happy accidents and unexpected artistic flourishes.
So, whether you're a seasoned woodcarver or a newbie just starting out, the key is having fun and experimenting with different techniques. With a little bit of patience and a lot of elbow grease, you can create a truly unique wood wall sculpture. Happy carving, my friend!
V. Where to Find Inspiration for Wood Wall decor?
When it comes to finding inspiration for your next woodworking masterpiece, the possibilities are endless. You can check out some woodworking websites or even stroll through the lumber section of your local hardware store for some major inspiration. And you might even make new lumber-loving friends while at it.
But if you're looking for extra guidance or just want to learn some new skills, plenty of stores out there offer woodworking classes and workshops. Not only will you learn some nifty new techniques, but you'll also get to rub elbows with other woodworking enthusiasts. Win-win!
And if you cannot make it to a physical store or workshop, fear not, my friend. There are tons of online resources available to help guide you through the process of creating your own unique wooden wall art. The internet covers you, from instructional videos to patterns and tutorials.
So, get ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work. With some inspiration and serious elbow grease, you'll be able to carve out your own personal style and add some serious pizzazz to your space.
VI. Conclusion
Feeling like your walls are more boring than a lecture on paint drying? Time to carve out a new vibe with some wood wall art! This DIY project is the perfect way to unleash your inner artist and add some personality to your pad. Whether you're into tropical flowers or modern farmhouse chic, the sky's the limit when it comes to design. Sure, time might be a pain in the butt, but every swing of the chisel brings you closer to creating a masterpiece that'll make your walls sing with joy. So get cracking and imagine the sweet satisfaction of knowing you've created a one-of-a-kind piece of art that's truly a cut above the rest!
Happy Carving!
I’m a woodworker who loves carving. I make fancy carvings for a high end client worldwide. I also teach wood carving. I started the School of Wood Carving, a non-profit to help people learn.
The school’s website has over 3,000 how-to videos. Great for beginners and pros! I’m from Russia but have lived in the USA a long time. Like wood? Join us at the School of Wood Carving. We’d love to have you!