Carving My Own Lane

I first got into woodworking my senior year of high school. I was technically enrolled in metal shop, but there was a woodshop right next door and I was instantly drawn to it. My teacher, Mr. Toliver, noticed my curiosity and trusted with me being in the shop next door. Mr. Toliver would became my first woodworking mentor. I remember feeling creative freedom for the first time, seeing all the possibilities woodworking had to offer, even if I didn’t fully recognize creative freedom back then.

After graduating, life took me in other directions, and woodworking became and afterthought. Then in 2020, the world suddenly shut down.  With the Pandemic lockdown in full effect, I decided to stay busy by fixing my parents wooden gate. I watched a few videos, borrowed some tools, and before I knew it, that same spark came rushing back. From there I started building dog houses, playhouses, fences — anything that let me create. Woodworking became my outlet. The tools became my paintbrushes.

In the summer of 2021, I stumbled on a unique wood plank that looked like an ostrich. Being playful I  added a suit, glasses, and named him Gerald from Corporate. I shared it online, and people loved it. From that moment on I saw how my art brought people together and  the joy I felt throughout the process that I decided to keep it going. That moment reminded me that this was the creative freedom I deep down I always yearned for . 

Since then, I’ve spent the last few years developing my art, blending humor, storytelling, and craftsmanship. My dream has always been to showcase my work in a real exhibition and share my passion with the world . Thanks to the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, that dream is finally coming true.

Thank you for visiting my online gallery. If you have any inquiries feel free to reach out via email: mannyswoodart@gmail.com