Hollowell Studios

Tag: wood

  • Tofana

    Tofana

    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.

  • Beyond the Reeds

    Beyond the Reeds

    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

  • When is an Ammonite not an Ammonite

    When is an Ammonite not an Ammonite

    An ancient form, reimagined in wood—where the story of the tree meets the memory of the sea.”

    Black Walnut ‘Ammonite’

    Inspired by one of nature’s most enduring forms, this hand-carved sculpture transforms a solid piece of black walnut into a contemporary interpretation of an ancient ammonite fossil. Every flowing contour was shaped by hand to evoke the graceful spiral that has captivated collectors, naturalists, and artists for centuries.

    Rather than creating a literal replica, this piece celebrates the essence of the ammonite—its timeless geometry, organic movement, and quiet sense of permanence. The natural grain of the walnut enhances the illusion of a fossil emerging from stone, with subtle variations in color and texture emphasizing the wood’s own unique history.

    The sculpture has been carefully sanded to a silky finish and protected to reveal the warmth and depth of the walnut, allowing light to play across its sculpted surface. From every angle, the changing curves and grain create a different visual experience, making it as engaging to hold as it is to display.

    Balancing natural history with contemporary craftsmanship, this one-of-a-kind work invites reflection on the passage of time, the beauty of organic forms, and the enduring connection between nature and art.

    Medium: Hand-carved Black Walnut

    Size: 7×2”
    Finish: Hand-sanded and finished in beeswax to enhance the natural beauty of the wood
    Edition: Original, one-of-a-kind sculpture

Hollowell Studios

Original Fine Art & Woodcraft by Chris Stafford

Twenty Twenty-Five

Designed with WordPress