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Bill hasn’t always been a carver. He spent his earlier years teaching and playing music. Guitar and vocals were his passion, but after twenty odd years he felt burnt out, looking for something else. About seven years ago he started working seriously with wood. True to form he started with the hardest things first; deep relief roses in oval wall plaques, carved with traditional tools. While hardly a commercial venture, they sold well, but took an awful lot of time with precious little return. Next Bill was offered a commission of a sign, which Bill proceeded to finish in Totara. The results of this can be seen as the "Warlock Cottage".
Taking encouragement from the response to the sign, Bill started making other works from blocks of Totara. The move into Kauri came from the need to ‘deepen’ the works. One of the results is ‘Scenic South’. It has a relief of 4 inches, a depth hard to beat when seen in the same room under the right lighting.
Bill likes working both with Totara and Kauri, as each has its own challenges and end effects. The ripple of grain that comes from Totara makes a wonderful light effect, while Kauri has a genuine golden warmth that is both unique and fascinating. He feels there is great Mana in both timbers and claims "to me one is inseparable from the other and they are both at peace to my senses." While clear timber can be used for a preconceived design (so the grain does not detract or be wasted on the design), blocks that have grain must be used where the grain plays a large part on the end result.
His workshop is a basic affair. Bill does most of his work using a small band-saw, a small belt sander and a Foredom Power Carver, a machine he claims is indispensable and one that has relegated his carving tools to the endangered species list.
When asked about the secret of developing carved structures Bill replied that there was no secret to that or carving in general. He said " …it comes down to tenacity and desire. If these two qualities are developed from the word go, there is nothing that can’t be accomplished as they lead to a belief in ones own abilities."
The Castle is Bill’s latest idea. It is an extremely intricate idea but Bill is looking at supplying the Castles in a kit form, all 1160 pieces for assembly and finishing by the customer. So if you have a man who has everything, and an interest in DIY wood crafts you can get in touch with Bill Simcox.
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