Sincerely enamored with nature, Wendy Lichtensteiger has been documenting its offerings since her childhood in Ringwood NJ. By direct observation and through photographs, sketches, and natural found objects, Wendy has developed a deep respect for the mysterious wonders of plants and animals and the integrated relationship they maintain.
She navigates this respect and her devoted passion for producing and making by "reclaiming what is thought to be waste". Wendy creates her bird carvings with over 100 year old American Chestnut, a once abundant tree that disappeared from the American landscape due to a 1920's blight. An appropriate material that in turns pays homage to the aviary creatures that once inhabited and perched in them.
Staining the carvings rather than painting them reveals the beauty of the woods historic characteristics and natural "feathery" grain. The cracks, checks and wormholes testify to the symbiotic relationship of nature and time. Often a favorite piece of driftwood or a found branch, which Lichtensteiger considers works of art in their own right, serves as a base for her woodcarvings.
After studying Studio Art at Arizona State University and moving back to the east coast to help open the Wooden Feather Folk Art Gallery, Wendy underwent an apprenticeship with her father Lance, himself a woodcarver of over 35 years. Having honed her woodcarving skills on the Jersey shore, she has built a woodshop of her own in the wooded mountains of Vermont.
In 2012, friend and sculptor Wick Ahrens called upon Wendy to assist him with his carvings. Wick is a renowned whale sculptor who was mentored by artist and carver Clark Voorhees. With 12 years of carving under her belt, Wendy quickly stepped up and aided Wick in the creation of his wall plaques and his one of a kind museum pieces. When Wick officially retired, he asked Wendy to keep up the tradition of making Whales in Vermont.
I want to remind people of the beauty and life around them. To respect, care for, and learn from it. Stay curious.
She navigates this respect and her devoted passion for producing and making by "reclaiming what is thought to be waste". Wendy creates her bird carvings with over 100 year old American Chestnut, a once abundant tree that disappeared from the American landscape due to a 1920's blight. An appropriate material that in turns pays homage to the aviary creatures that once inhabited and perched in them.
Staining the carvings rather than painting them reveals the beauty of the woods historic characteristics and natural "feathery" grain. The cracks, checks and wormholes testify to the symbiotic relationship of nature and time. Often a favorite piece of driftwood or a found branch, which Lichtensteiger considers works of art in their own right, serves as a base for her woodcarvings.
After studying Studio Art at Arizona State University and moving back to the east coast to help open the Wooden Feather Folk Art Gallery, Wendy underwent an apprenticeship with her father Lance, himself a woodcarver of over 35 years. Having honed her woodcarving skills on the Jersey shore, she has built a woodshop of her own in the wooded mountains of Vermont.
In 2012, friend and sculptor Wick Ahrens called upon Wendy to assist him with his carvings. Wick is a renowned whale sculptor who was mentored by artist and carver Clark Voorhees. With 12 years of carving under her belt, Wendy quickly stepped up and aided Wick in the creation of his wall plaques and his one of a kind museum pieces. When Wick officially retired, he asked Wendy to keep up the tradition of making Whales in Vermont.
I want to remind people of the beauty and life around them. To respect, care for, and learn from it. Stay curious.