#198 Cotton Wood Burl with inlay turquoise Sculpture

My name is Raymond Barela and I am a Santa Fe, NM Native. I have lived in Santa Fe NM my entire life and 40 years working as a contractor/plaster. I was taught this trade as a young man by my father and turned it into my livelihood, but what I truly loved was working with wood. I started turning and carving wood when I was 12 years old and did it on afternoons and weekends and did my regular job during the day. As I am approaching retirement,I have started devoting the majority of my time turning, carving wood and antlers. And, I couldn't be happier! I create every piece with thought, hard work and with lots of memories from my father (Al). He always taught me that whatever I did in life, I should do it with Amor ( love ). Each hollowform piece is specially created based on the type of wood,shape and authentic turquoise that captures Santa Fe's enchanting landscape and culture. I mainly use native New Mexican wood species like Aspen,Salt Cedar,Ponderosa,Cottonwood,Piñon,Elm, but also use beautiful woods from other states such as Box Elder,Mesquite,and Buckeye and others. When you purchase one of my hollowforms, you are buying a piece of Santa Fe! ENJOY