Artist Statement

I’ve had a lifelong relationship with wood and the tools that can shape it into art. Or planks. Or kindling. It’s often hard, physically and mentally demanding work. There’s a lot of harvested timber out there, crying out to not become just firewood. Someone has to do this stuff, you know, so that might as well be me!  

“Create like a god, command like a king, work like a slave”
–C. Brancusi, artist.

On the process...

There is a block of wood in front of you, and a sharp tool in your hand. That’s the physical reality of it. There’s an idea in your head, and an artist/passion/creative thing behind that, in your heart. So you get to work, trying to bring that all together somehow. When the sawdust and chips settle you wipe off your specs and look for satisfactory results. Usually the safety specs go back on, hands get back to work, and you’re back at it. A few more times, until the wood is now shaped to whatever that “artistic goal” was, or as far as your initial vision went. This sometimes is the point where more study, pondering and questioning enter the effort, and progress is slow and pensive. Further vision, in dusty glasses. 

Grain, color, light, and shadow change with lines, masses, and form; it’s a visual symphony minute by minute in the carving work. And I try to conduct this symphony to bring the art out of wood. How lofty that might sound, but keep noise and sawdust in the image, and it’ll feel pretty gritty, believe me.  

It is not my focus to add more detail, or realism, but to create a feeling or impression. My style is not so much model making—I’m not after an exact replica, but I strive to create with intentionality with a unique perspective. It’s more like poetry than news reporting.

There is a beauty in the natural world that is beyond description. The Master Artist of all creation gifted us with this, but we don’t always have eyes open to see it. Life is too rushed and busy much of the time. If my work does a little to remind you of this beauty, we are both blessed. 

–Bud Hainzinger

Contact Bud for carving inquiries: 
(815) 274 6723 | chainslinger@gmail.com

Where to view public carvings by Wooden Matter 

Starved Rock State Park, Utica, Illinois

White Pine State Park, Mount Morris, Illinois

Dellwood Park, Lockport, Illinois

Kankakee County Forest Preserves, Kankakee, Illinois

CR 7 Roundabout, Frederick, Colorado

Lewis University, Romeoville, Illinois

Illinois Valley Community College, Oglesby, Illinois

Bridgeton, Indiana

Madison, Wisconsin

Nashville, Tennessee