Handcrafted Resin Tray
A new design for this handcrafted 16 × 10-inch serving tray with pasta set in clear epoxy resin. I’ve made several uniquely designed epoxy resin trays now and no two trays are ever exactly alike. They are truly one-of-a-kind designed to be both functional and decorative. The perfect conversation starter and a memorable gift for pasta lovers, cooks, or anyone who appreciates imaginative artisan design.
The warmth of Apple Wood
12×9″
I love working with apple wood and watching it develop from a log to firewood to a beautiful warm piece of sculpted wood. By splitting the log naturally with an axe I follow ithe grain rather than forcing it, and allowing the character of the tree to help determine the final form.
This hand-carved piece emerged as a simple, organic shape: strong and grounded at its base, then rising into a smooth, gently curving form. I’ve deliberately retained some of the natural marks, grain and imperfections of the wood, allowing its history to remain visible.
The warm tones of the apple wood change beautifully with the light, revealing subtle variations in color and texture as you move around the piece. For me, it sits somewhere between landscape and figure — abstract enough to allow you to decide what you see.
Hand-carved apple wood. One of a kind.
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Hand-carved from apple wood, Tofana is an abstract sculpture inspired by the soaring peaks and sweeping contours of the Dolomites—particularly my favorite mountain range, the Tofane.
Its rising forms, curved ridge lines and deep central passage evoke a landscape shaped by time and the elements. From every angle, the sculpture reveals a different silhouette: at once a mountain summit, a sheltered valley and a weathered rock formation. The apple wood’s warm tones, flowing grain and natural fissures remain visible, becoming part of the work’s character and echoing the strata and scars of the mountains themselves.
Both strong and sensuous, Tofana celebrates the meeting of material, memory and place—a piece of the natural world transformed by hand, yet still faithful to the life and history held within the wood.
This style of abstract landscape is something I’ve been working on for a while so I’m always pleased when it works; because often it doesn’t. This one is created in oils as usual on wood panel to which is added a top layer of graphite. The intention is to explore the meeting point between land, water and sky at sunset. Adding graphite lines once the paint is dry which suggest reeds or grasses, cutting through the layers of soft yellow and reflected light, while a concentrated burst of orange sun brings warmth and energy to the distant horizon.
Rather than depicting a particular place, the painting evokes the feeling of a landscape remembered — somewhere familiar, yet undefined which we all have memories of. I already have some other ideas on this theme which will also be palette knife painting oils on wood panels.
14×11”. / . 35x28cm
A Private Conversation (Graphite on Paper)
I’ve always been drawn to the quiet elegance of Sandhill Cranes. There is something about their posture, height, and their graceful movements, the way they seem so completely at ease with one another that made me stop and watch them when I lived in Northern Florida.
For this illustration, I wanted to keep the composition and outline simple to let the beauty of the birds speak for itself. Working in graphite allowed me to focus on the subtle changes in light, the softness of their feathers, and the strong, graceful lines that make Sandhill Cranes so distinctive. I especially enjoyed capturing the different poses—one standing tall and confident, the other turning with a gentle curiosity—as they seemed to tell a story without needing any background or distractions.
To me, Sandhill Cranes represent grace and dignity, absolute patience, and quiet strength found in their lifestyle. My hope is that this drawing brings a sense of peace and reminds you to appreciate those calm moments in nature that often leave the deepest impression.
Notecards Available $6 plus postage. Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com
Graphite on paper
This dynamic pencil drawing captures a fleeting moment of survival in the natural world. A powerful Bald Eagle descends from above with wings fully extended, its razor-sharp talons reaching toward a fleeing rabbit in a dramatic display of speed, precision, and instinct. The sweeping arc of the eagle’s wings dominates the composition, conveying both the grace and immense power of North America’s iconic raptor. I used to photograph these magnificent birds in Washington State, sometimes getting close on cliff tops as they perched high in the fir trees.
This drawing is rendered entirely in graphite, using careful shading and fine textural detail to distinguish the eagle’s layered feathers, piercing gaze, and muscular form. In contrast, the small rabbit, frozen in mid-flight, emphasizes the tension between predator and prey, highlighting the relentless balance of nature.
The generous white space surrounding the figures heightens the sense of movement, allowing the viewer to imagine the chase continuing beyond the page. Rather than depicting the moment of capture, I focused on the anticipation—the split second when instinct, speed, and survival converge.
The result is a study of wildlife that celebrates both the majesty of the Bald Eagle and the drama inherent in the natural world.
Graphite on Paper
This graphite drawing captures a quiet moment from the smaller natural world. A purposeful ladybug stealthily clings to the stem of a plant while a small insect make its way unaware of its predator, creating a subtle narrative of intentional coexistence. Rendered with delicate shading and careful attention to form, the composition draws attention to the outlines often overlooked in everyday encounters with insects.
The subtle monochromatic pencil lines allow the textures of the insects and the plant stem to emerge with remarkable clarity, inviting the viewer to pause and appreciate the intricate elegance of natures insect world.
In my quest to learn new subjects and explore techniques the simplicity of pencil sketching often lures me into a peaceful space. I enjoy drawing birds and endeavoring to interpret their personality and characteristics but until now I have not ventured into life drawings. So this is truly an experiment. I’m drawn to the female form in particular the subtlety of smooth, graceful curves. The suggestions of sensuality and seductiveness that emerge in the process. In this attempt only the torso, one bent arm, and part of the hip are visible, with the figure emerging from an otherwise blank sheet of paper. The arm is gracefully folded, the wrist relaxed, and the hand delicately posed with slightly extended fingers, lending the composition a quiet elegance. The challenge is often in the gentle graphite shading which defines the body, in this case the side of the ribcage and waist, creating a subtle play of light and shadow while preserving the drawing’s airy quality. I have intentionally left the head, legs, and much of the body unfinished, allowing the surrounding white space to become an integral part of the composition. Soft, flowing contour lines and restrained tonal modeling hopefully give the figure a sense of calm, intimacy, and understated beauty.
Graphite on paper.
10×9”
A Pyrographic Portrait of Africa’s Legendary Tomato Thief
Tolstoy is a hand-burned pyrographic portrait celebrating one of Africa’s most unforgettable elephants. Rendered on natural cherry wood, the artwork captures Tolstoy’s calm intelligence and commanding presence through intricate burn lines and rich tonal shading that reveal the texture of his weathered skin.
Tolstoy became famous not for his size alone and being a rare tusker, but for his remarkable habit of raiding local tomato fields, earning him the affectionate nickname “The Tomato Thief.” His true story is the subject of the acclaimed documentary Tolstoy the Tomato Thief, directed by American filmmaker Kire Godal, which explores the complex relationship between wildlife and the people who share the landscape.
I first heard about Tolstoy’s story when the filmmaker Kire Godal was a guest on season 2 of the AART podcast. His magnificent presence inspired an oil painting which is now part of my signature collection. Notecards are also available.
The warm tones of the wood complement the earthy character of the elephant, while the simplicity of the composition invites viewers to look beyond the legend and see the intelligence, resilience, and individuality of one of Africa’s most beloved wild elephants.
Cherry Wood
10x9x3/4”
Exclusive pyrographic art.
Photography by Chris Stafford
This photograph reveals a lone tree emerging from a blanket of dense fog as I cycled at first light down a still gravel road as the Mourning Dove greeted the day. The soft, diffused light strips the landscape to its essential forms breaking through the horizon, allowing the silhouette of the tree to become both the focal point.
As the first light of day filters through the mist, the boundaries between earth and sky dissolve, creating an ethereal atmosphere that exists for only a few fleeting moments. It is this sense of calm, mystery, and impermanence that drew me to take the photograph. I love the stillness that a foggy morning brings much like the quietness of snow falling.
Morning Mist seems the best way to capture a feeling—the quiet anticipation of a new day, when the world is hushed and nature reveals its most subtle beauty. The image hopefully invites the viewer to pause, reflect, and appreciate the extraordinary moments that often go unnoticed.
I think this photograph has a particularly strong minimalist quality. The composition is simple yet powerful: the solitary tree, the soft layers of fog, and the subdued us to pause and enjoy.
Original Fine Art & Woodcraft by Chris Stafford
Twenty Twenty-Five
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