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Artist Statement:
HipShot Wood Carvings:
Kentucky native wood carver
Brian S. Sims has been carving
wooden sculptures since 1992.
He uses a variety of wood
indigenous to Kentucky
including ash, cedar, poplar,
oak and walnut. One of his
specialties is capturing the
vision that his clients
commission him to create. The
attention to detail in these
pieces is obvious at first
glance. His sculpture titled,
Athena carved from a solid
American Sycamore log draws
praise and admiration from all
viewers. To own a one of a
kind wooden treasure visit
hipshotwood.com...
Further Information
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Artist Exhibitions:
Coming Soon!
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Artist Galleries:
Coming Soon!
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Artist Reviews:
Coming Soon!
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Collections:
Coming Soon!
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Commissions:
Coming Soon!
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Brian Sims Biography:
| Biographical information for Brian Sims can be found below. The artist may choose what information to display. Sometimes the artist chooses not to display personal information to the general public. |
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Age
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50
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| Gender |
Male
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| Status |
Married
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| Children |
4
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| Religion |
not provided |
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| Education |
Undergraduate Work |
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| Hobbies / Interests |
not provided |
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| Favorite Artistic Medium |
Woodworking
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| Favorite Arthistory Movement |
Arts and Crafts Movement - (1861 - 1900)
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| Favorite Visual Artist |
Caril Chasen
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| Favorite Work of Art |
John Shonle's
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| Biggest Artistic Inspiration |
Mother Nature. |
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| Why Did You Become An Artist |
Originally. I am not sure. As the days pass I find the reason to be multi-faceted. First is the outlet of self expression. Second is taking the beauty of nature and enhancing it. |
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| Your Personal Biography |
Artist Bio
I am a native Kentuckian and began woodcarving in 1992 by necessity. On a camping trip the hatchet handle broke and I decided to carve a replacement. This experience prompted me to find another piece of wood and start carving. That first piece became a very simple but recognizable bust of a Native American Chief.
Upon return from the camping trip, I experimented with carving a variety of subjects, not always successfully, but continued to hone my skills. Learning and experimenting as most self taught artisans do, I created wood art pieces for family and friends until 2003 (and when time permits I still do). In the fall of 2003, I founded HipShot Wood Carving and began offering my work and talent over the internet. I designed and continue to manage my website, www.hipshotwood.com.
The rise of hipshotwood.com has mirrored the continued evolution of my skill, style and talent. In 2006, country music artist Gretchen Wilson received one of my carvings as a gift. This was followed in 2007 with a commission carving designed and created especially for Gretchen. The DIY television network filmed me at work for a half hour program in their wood sculpting series in 2007. The University of Texas at Dallas Police Department commissioned me to carve their police badge in 2007. The magazine for the National Wood Carvers Association featured some of my work in 2007 and 2008 issues.
My passion about wood and for my work took a public turn in 2007. An act of vandalism in May 2007 in a park in Lexington, Kentucky was the catalyst. Someone maliciously set fire to an American Sycamore tree that was over one hundred years old and one hundred feet tall. As I read the news story I became upset and immediately contacted city officials with an offer. The offer was that if the city would give me some of the wood from the tree I would create a sculpture and donate it to the city for them to use as they saw fit. Turning a negative act into a positive result was the goal. The sculpture named, “Athena” now resides in the Mayor’s office.
In 2008 I was privileged to carve one of the world’s most recognized icons, the McDonald’s Golden Arches. The arches were commissioned for the President and C.O.O. for McDonald’s worldwide as a gift to recognize his achievement. Carved from Cuban Mahogany, the arches were a challenge that I could not resist. Recreating an icon that everyone knows and knowing it would sit in the President’s office was humbling and a very special moment for HipShot Wood.
My first international carving was created in 2008 for a medical doctor in Sweden. The ventricle system of the human brain sculpted in black walnut was my first attempt at an internal part of the human anatomy as well as being my first international commission. I was thrilled with the piece and proud to ship it anywhere in the world.
I believe that my art allows me to feel and experience the beauty of nature’s bounty. I never tries to mask the inherent beauty of wood. My goal is to enhance what nature has already beautifully crafted. There are times that the wood speaks and I listen to the direction that God and natural events have destined me to create. I has also found a gift in being able to turn the ideas of his clients into wooden works of art. Everything from wooden signs, parts of the human brain to peanuts have been the fruit of this labor of love. All of my work is created with the tenet; “Take what the wood gives”.
I am joyfully married to Salena and the proud father of four daughters. Salena, our youngest daughter and I reside in Grant County, Kentucky with our 110 pound Rhodesian Ridgeback, Mr. Shakey.
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