When I ask Rachel Shaw about how she became interested in wood carving, she replies, “Carving found me.” I love these stories of people being found by what will become their passion. But, for Rachel, carving has become more than a passion. It has provided her with a meditative process, a way to escape the stress of the world, and over Easter she’ll be bringing her exquisite hand-carved gems to the Timbermill Gallery with fellow artist Robert Grieves.
Rachel's love of woodwork began with her partner wanting to go to the Illawarra Festival of Wood. Actually, it probably started much earlier than that, as she describes herself as her father’s shadow as a kid, always in his shed, watching him working away on various projects.
By not understanding exactly why her partner had wanted to go to the festival but wanting to find something that might pique her own interest, Rachel accidentally discovered woodcarving.
“One of the first things I saw was a workshop to carve little wooden birds. Well, that was it. I needed to be part of that workshop and I managed to nab the last spot.
"Little did I know I was going to be taught by the most wonderfully passionate and talented carver, Carol Russell, and I was about to become a whittling addict. I knew from the moment I started carving, this was going to be my thing,” she said.
There’s a real mindfulness to Rachel’s approach to her pieces, which she describes as ‘stylish Mid-Century/Scandi style’ on her website, Waiting for Spring.
The process starts with having to source the timber, which in most cases is salvaged, something she really loves saying, “I love giving it a new life, something for people to keep.”
The wood’s general appearance will give Rachel an idea of what it will become; perhaps a small, smooth bird to fit perfectly in the palm, a bowl, a spoon or a bud vase. The design is drawn, cut out and then shaped using either a whittling knife or a Shinto Saw, sanded over hours and finally finished with a natural oil or wax.
The process is slow and measured and the wood itself has the ultimate say in what it will become. “Once you start cutting and getting further into the piece… it really starts to reveal itself and sometimes you just have to give in and rethink the entire direction you were headed,” she explains.
And as for why she loves woodcarving, Rachel says, “I love the peace and calm it brings me. Carving really is meditation in motion and it takes me away from the stresses of daily life.”
Rachel and Robert’s exhibition will run from April 7-16 at Timbermill Gallery, 2/6 Molloy St, Bulli. While Rachel specialises in small, hand-carved pieces, Robert creates large sculptures. (Please note the change in date for the opening. Previously advertised as the 4th but now opening on the 7th April).
Rachel will also be holding a spoon carving workshop for beginners on April 15.
See Waiting for Spring for more details.
You can follow Rachel’s work on Instagram