I started carving wood when I became interested in puppets, wooden marionettes in particular. I learned from books and Youtube videos, and later took a few courses with established makers in Czechia, Italy and the UK. I fell in love with wood as a material and was experimenting with it and expanding what I make every year; I dabbled in automata, masks, spoons, home ornaments, garden furniture, and this eagerness to continue exploring wood took me to the Tradional Arts Centre in Prienai, Lithuania, where I learned how to carve with a chainsaw. This led me to make figurative, carved benches and sculptures.
I am particularly drawn to the human form and the vast opportunities it presents for artistic capture, whether it's humorous, grotesque, mischievous, or just well-engineered. I am now based in scotland, mainly Glasgow.
Eliza, one of my early marionettes, made in Prague under the guidance of a professional marionette maker there. It was fun to give her a backstory (retired balerina) and I continue doing so to this day!
This is Emilio, a fantastically engineered marionette that I was taught how to make by Stephen Mottram. It is his design and Stephen still runs courses:
http://www.stephenmottram.com/home.html
In Lithuania, as in other parts of Europe, wood remains a popular material for sculptures and outdoor furniture. Totem poles, such as this one, are a common sight and together with religious depictions keep many woodcarvers in business. It always brings me joy when I see wood sculptures, benches and play areas in the UK as other materials have been heavily favoured over the past decades. With the current climate crisis however wood is rightly emerging as one of the best choices for renewability and sustainability factors.
My very first bench, Wind, made in Lithuania when I was an apprentice at the Traditional Arts Centre (run by the brilliant Algimantas Sakalauskas). This was inspired by folklore and fairytale drawings and I favour this style in my current work. The simple lines and bulky bodies are perfect to be depicted in wood and are not didactic in their design - wood will always surprise, either in beauty or defects, and the uncomplicated designs allow for the changes that this will bring.
"Love love LOVE my new bench. Justina was very communicative and meticulous, also she didn't tell me to sod off when I kept changing my mind!"
Karen B., Blanefield, 2023
"I had a wooden keychain made as a birthday present - two boots. The communication was easy and swift, and I got the keychain in plenty of time for the birthday. My friend absolutely loves it! Can't wait to place another custom order soon."
Fine M., Glasgow, 2023
"Amazing results, highly recommend."
Oscar M., Fintry, 2022
