Artist Biography

John McAbery lives and works on a remote area of the California coast in a small cabin that has neither phone nor electricity. He works with simple hand tools to create his unique sculptures.

John uses naturally fallen California bay laurel. The blocks of wood he starts with can weigh as much as 100 pounds, yet his finished sculptures weigh as little as 4 ounces. All the curves and nuances are hand carved, no steam bending is used in the creation of his pieces. His partner Gretchen Bunker helps with the design and finishing of the work, and out of respect for the environment, they also grow and plant native trees.