Meet The Artist

Tom Swearingen has more than thirty years of experience as a wood carver. He began his career by using a simple pocket knife to whittle figures for his parents, friends, and family. He now uses chainsaws and power foredom tools in addition to his pocket knife. Tom became a professional wood carver in 1985 and has participated in numerous woodcarving competitions. Some of these competitions represented work from fourteen states and over sixty artists. Tom has won eight major awards including a First Place Award in both the 1987 and the 1998 International Woodcarving Competition and Exhibition held in Toronto Canada. He also earned The Peoples Choice, Best in Class and Best in Show Awards in a Southeastern Competition for the Baby Bed that is featured on this site.

Tom's work ranges from the tiny to the giant, including items such as a miniature three-dimensional mountain shack with an old man and woman sitting in rocking chairs on the front porch, which was carved from a two inch block of wood to a stature of Christ on the cross that was carved out of a large standing tree in the parking lot of a local church. Tom's style also encompasses a wide range. His old world santa's have a flavor of Southern folklore while his portraits reflect a realistic style and his other works show everything in between. Most of these sculptures are done in wood but Tom is not limited to one media he also works with casting materials as well as clay and deer antlers. To see some of Tom's amazing sculptures please click any of the buttons to the left.