The Mission behind the “WP” Mark
The art isn’t about me, I am moved to do this because it’s about the wood, and the children. Every piece in this gallery exists for one purpose: to fund a legacy of healing.
Having faced my own health challenges as a child, I am able to use my art to help the next generation. Today, 100% of the gross proceeds from my work are placed into a private trust dedicated to supporting children’s health foundations.
I sign my work with a simple mark: “WP”. When you see the “WP” mark on a piece of Amboyna Burl and the hand signed Certificate of Authenticity, you are seeing a promise kept.
The Provenance of the Amboyna
Species: Pterocarpus indicus (Amboyna Burl)
Origin: The rainforests of Indonesia
Seasoning: 10+ Years in Private Collection
This rare burl was acquired ten years ago, salvaged from a business venture that didn’t go as planned. Rather than letting this precious material be lost or forgotten, I brought it into my studio to wait for the right purpose.
For a decade, this wood seasoned in a controlled environment, allowing the grain to stabilize and the natural oils to deepen. Today, it has been transformed from a “salvaged” remnant into a work of art with a mission. By acquiring this piece, you are completing its journey—from the forest floor of Indonesia, through a decade of patience, to a final purpose of supporting children’s health.
About the Artist
After a long period of creative stagnation, a sudden and profound burst of inspiration led to my “Motivation” series. My work is not a preconceived plan, but a collaborative dialogue with the wood itself. Each sculpture begins with the raw material — most notably the rare and stunning Amboyna Burl wood — and evolves as the wood “speaks” to me. My role is a guide, and using a variety of tools, I reveal the hidden form (or sculpture) within, bringing out the “soul of the wood.”
My process is a journey of discovery. A testament to the idea that beauty is often uncovered rather than created from scratch. I hope the sculptures abstract form and the natural, elegant beauty of the wood’s grain, brought to a silky finish with many coats of oil and a final polish of wax, will inspire viewers.
My goal is to not only showcase the “soul of the wood,” but share the motivation I’ve found, encouraging to others to find their own hidden passions and purpose.
All gross proceeds go to children’s health focused charitable foundations. I am partial to children’s health struggles due to my personal struggles as a child. ~WP
Several sculpture are on display at the local Allied Art Association Gallery at the Park.
The Finishing Process: Revealing & Protecting the Wood’s Character
Our finishing procedure is deliberately slow and meticulous to ensure longevity and highlighting the wood’s inherent beauty. Each sculpture is wet-sanded to 1000 grit to achieve a refined surface.
Wet-sanding is followed by the application of multiple, thin layers of penetrating oil to nourish the wood from within, and then 10 coats of premium finishing oil. After each coat, there is a light sanding to create a guaranteed glass-smooth depth and luster of the sculpture.
For the final touch, several coats of Carnauba wax are applied, buffed and polished to provide robust protection, a luxurious hand-feel, and a distinctive low-sheen texture. Should the sculpture require refreshing over time, the owner may easily apply a light coat of high-quality wax.
The entire shape of the sculpture is focused on showcasing the wood’s original grain, pattern, and unique imperfections, transforming nature’s flaws into defining characteristics of the art and soul of the wood.