Ruddy Turnstone

Having spent many years vacationing in Florida, I moved to Naples from Pittsford, New York after a wonderful career at a Fortune 500 company. Looking for a substitute for work, I was driven to combine my love of nature and the

beauty of wood.

An opportunity presented itself in the late 90’s. An advertisement, by a local artist, who was going to have a beginner’s bird carving class, caught my eye. That was the beginning of my journey to a very satisfying hobby. A few years later, I felt the need to increase my skills and refine my work. I began studying with several master carvers

in the country.

Today, I continue to hone my skills by working with other master carvers, studying live birds, reading and gaining knowledge from fellow carvers. A recent trip to the Amazon increased my knowledge of birds from other countries. My primary focus is studying and carving three-dimensional birds. Each creation is unique, paying special attention to detailing each facet of what Mother Nature has provided. I predominately work with tupelo wood, Manzanita, grape vine and acrylics but often find a piece of drift wood that I can’t resist. Transforming a piece of wood into a copy of a living bird is my passion. The possibilities are endless.

Burrowing Owl

Red Tailed Hawk

"I predominately work with tupelo wood, Manzanita, grape vine and acrylics but often find a piece of drift wood that I can’t resist. "

Kingfisher

Bob White

Artists at Work in the Heart of Matlacha

Kay Stammers

Woodcarving