Blending Creativity, Purpose And Passion
The Artist
Chris McNevin
Chris McNevin has been a sculptor and woodworker for over 20 years. His focus is on developing beautiful form and flow with highly distressed and challenging wood.
Chris usually begins by acquiring large root clusters from sustainable sources, usually trees that were felled by storm or for site clearing.This raw material presents deep challenges and opportunities, and it is not uncommon for Chris to study a root ball on one of his workbenches for a year or more before proceeding beyond test cuts. This helps him understand the pattern of wood, grain and void, and determine how best to approach a piece.
Chris’s work is intended to showcase the beauty inherent in this difficult raw material, including the hollows and any stone that may be embedded in the roots, integrated into pieces of beauty and originality.
In addition to sculpture, Chris is an accomplished woodturner, and creates exceptional bowls and vessels, also using distressed wood.These pieces are decorative, not for use with liquids or food.
Chris has studied sculpture with Philip Farault and others. His work is featured in private collections in Los Angeles, Sun Valley, Austin, Breckenridge, and numerous other locations across the country.
Chris may be reached by email at Chrismcnevin@yahoo.com.
Wood Sculptures of Heads
Wounded Warrior
$26,000
This head was created from Texas Hickory with a wood base. It measures 25 inches tall by 18 inches deep.
Serenity
SOLD
Circe
$6,500
Created from Texas Hickory root, this piece measures 28" tall by 15" wide and 15" deep.
The Spaniard
$18,000
Crafted from a large California Elm trunk and root, this piece measures 19" tall, 9" wide and 13" deep.
Komaitachi
$4,300
Created from a California found root ball this figure measures 19" tall by 26 " deep and 16" wide.
Sedusa
$14,000
Crafted from a root ball found in Los Angeles, this figure measures 19" tall by 26 " deep and 16" wide.
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Bowls and Vessels
Cypress Bowl
Private collection
This bowl was from a tree felled by Hurricane Matthew. I turned the wood slightly offset on the lathe, to leave a section of bark which adds to the character of this piece.
Cherry Bowl
$300
This bowl is from a cherry tree in Jacksonville, Florida that was damaged by a hurricane. The dark area is a section just below the bark, left in place to highlight the natural color palate of this wood.
Shallow Walnut Platter
$300
This thin platter was created from a piece of Texas Walnut that had been felled and left to rot, creating the "spalting" pattern from fungal staining. 13" W x 2" H
Black Walnut Bowl
$380
In contrast to the shallow platter, the wood for this bowl, also Texas Black Walnut, was dried after harvest, so no spaulting could occur. The result is a rich, dark, natural color.. 12.5 W x 2 3/4 H.
Water Oak Bowl
$400
Water oak grows in Northern Florida. This piece s from a very large tree that had to be removed. The color pattern is entirely natural, and is caused by staining inside the tree from a dead branch immediately above the section I used. !3 " W x 5" H
Oak Burl Bowl
Private collection
This piece was turned from the fork of an enormous water oak that had been damaged by internal decay. The swirls and pronounced grain patterns result from the use of a fork in the tree .
Black Laquer Bowl
Private collection
This bowl was turned from a tree known in Texas as "hickory elm." This tree had been destroyed by burrowing beetles, which left tunnels throughout the wood. After tuning, the piece was lacquered, and then the beetle tunnels were outlined in gold paint.
Elm Vessel
$425
This stunning vessel was a Texas elm felled in a windstorm. Part of the log was heavily decayed, so the wood was reinforced with penetrating resin and bronze powder before turning. 13" W x 4" H.
Sycamore Vessel
$650
This vessel is from a tree that was blown down by Hurricane Matthew. The wood is lightly spouted, creating a grain pattern that pops. 13" W x 6" H.
Walnut Bowl
Private collection
This bowl was turned from walnut, in a modern shape, then finished with hard wax and no oil, to maintain the beauty color.
Shallow Bowl
Private collection
This bowl was turned from heavily decayed Texas oak. The logs had sat on the ground for years and fungal activity left the wood bleached in part and heavily marked throughout. The advanced decay made it nearly impossible to turn this piece, which is why it was left shallow on the inside
Sycamore Bowl I
$500
This heavily spalted Florida Sycamore bowl shows the beautiful grain patterns that emerge as the wood is aged. 13" W x 4.
Sycamore Bowl II
$500
This bowl is a different shape, turned from the same spalted sycamore log as the prior bowl. 13" W x 4" H.
Petite Redwood Vessel
$275
This pretty pink bowl is from a downed Redwood in Oregon.This side of the vessel shows a fork where a large branch grew out from the main trunk. 8 " W x 5" H.
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Sealife Sculptures
Sperm Whale
Private collection
This whale was carved from an oak log that had to be trimmed to save a wall. The log was decayed in the center, and that feature was incorporated into the body of the whale. The fins and tail are of stained copper.
Mermaid
Private collection
This large charcuterie board was created for the owners of a super yacht. Sepelle wood, with resin and shell carved insert.
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Sculptural Portraits in Clay and Resin
Portrait in Clay
Private collection
Clay portrait of model
Guardian of the Cases
Privater collection
This piece was created to celebrate the birthday of the founder of a private charity which funds housing and education for single mother families in Guatamala.
Portrait in Clay
Private collection
Clay portrait and Model
Portrait in Clay
Destroyed
Clay rendition of a model
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