Jonathan Leach

My work begins with a fundamental belief: every piece of wood holds a hidden form; a potential beauty waiting to be revealed. Like a chrysalis that conceals a butterfly before its emergence, a block of wood contains shapes, stories, and spirit beneath its surface. My role as an artist is to listen, observe, and carefully remove what is unnecessary until what remains feels alive, expressive, and true to that inner possibility.

I carve because I am drawn to the process of transformation, not just of wood into form, but of perception into emotion, of raw material into presence. Each carving is an exploration of movement, life, and connection: whales breaching, otters at play, birds poised in momentary stillness. I draw inspiration from the natural world and the rhythms of sea and shore, because they echo the timeless interplay between form and flow, mass and motion.

Wood is more than a medium; it is a collaborator. I typically choose locally sourced sustainable woods - basswood, butternut, applewood, birch, maple, and others - for their grain, density, color, and character. Some pieces celebrate the grain’s natural patterns. Others embrace imperfections - cracks, checks, and variations - accented in a spirit akin to wabi-sabi, where flaws are not hidden but appreciated for their contribution to beauty and narrative.

My practice is deeply rooted in exploration and experimentation. I work with both three-dimensional carving and relief techniques, and I am continually expanding my vocabulary with new styles, finishes, and conceptual challenges. I avoid repetition; each work is a distinct journey, reflecting not only the wood’s possibilities but also my evolving response to shape and storytelling.

While I compete at the master carver level, awards and recognition - from local shows to competitive exhibitions - are welcome affirmations, but they are not my compass. What matters most is that each piece communicates something: wonder, humor, tenderness, curiosity, or memory. Art exists not just in the object, but in the connection between viewer and work; the recognition of a shared moment or feeling.

Carving is an art form that is best communicated from one person to another through direct contact. I am grateful for the mentorship of master carvers Wayne Robbons and Marcia Berkall. In turn, I strive to pass on what I have learned to others, with groups as young as kindergartners, through public workshops and demonstrations and adult education classes.

Ultimately, my goal as an artist is simple: to reveal beauty that might otherwise remain unseen, to honor the quiet marvel of nature’s forms, and to invite others into a space of reflection, joy, and surprise. Whether through a commissioned piece or a spontaneous carving, I seek to celebrate the dialogue between hand and heart, wood and wonder.

More about my art, images of completed work, and stories about my journey can be found at my web page