How did you get into woodcarving?
Even before I trained as a cabinetmaker, I made alluvial wood sculptures in my spare time, a hobby I learnt from my father. One day I decided I wanted to make a living from it. I started my training as a wood sculptor, which was my best decision ever.
What do you love most about your craft?
Every piece of wood is individual and the job has many facets. I have meetings with customers, I work with the chainsaw, which is physically demanding, sometimes I carve details, I model and draw. I can design everything myself and fully live out my creativity.
© Nora Engels
What might people not know about your work?
That my work takes a lot of time. It's not easy for a non-initiated person to imagine how a sculpture is made from a block of wood, how many steps have to be taken from the sketch, to the model, to the template, even before the woodwork can start.
Can you relate a highlight from your working life?
I have been told that my art really radiates and reflects the joy I have for my profession, which is wonderful and unforgettable. My craft makes me infinitely happy, sets me up, gives me strength, and I can live out my talent and put it into my work.