Custom Wood Sculptures That Actually Mean Something

Realism. Detail. Built to survive the Pacific Northwest.

Stumptown Carving property at dusk with carved tree sculpture

When I take on a project, it becomes a collaboration. My job is to bring your ideas to life in a way that feels real, personal, and built to last.

I don’t believe in limitations—I welcome challenges. The goal isn’t to carve the same piece over and over, but to create something that resonates with you and carries meaning long after it’s finished.

My work leans toward realism, where details aren’t optional—they define the piece. Every sculpture goes through a meticulous finishing process using high-quality, field-tested materials designed to withstand the Pacific Northwest climate. I use penetrating stains for lasting color and marine-grade varnishes that flex with the wood—so they won’t crack, peel, or fail under harsh conditions.

I also offer ongoing maintenance or will teach you exactly how to care for your piece—what to use, how to apply it, and how to recognize when it’s time for upkeep—so your investment continues to look its best for years to come.

If you’re not sure exactly what you want yet, that’s part of the process. I’ll guide you through concept development until the design feels right and sparks real excitement.

On behalf of artists everywhere—thank you for considering commissioning original work directly from the source. I look forward to building something meaningful with you.

Serious inquiries only—if you’re looking for something meaningful, we’ll get along just fine.

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Johnny Kimball's stump-carving “Sleepy Hollow Dragon” comes alive!!

I've been making things my whole life.

What started as a kid in an art class turned into building large-scale carvings, custom gates, and pieces that live in people's homes, land, and businesses.

No shortcuts. No production line. Just real material, real tools, and work that's meant to last.

Featured Masterworks - Every piece you see here is real work—designed, carved, and photographed by me. No AI-generated imagery, no shortcuts.

A curated selection of statement pieces — each one carved, stained, and finished to stand the test of time. Elevate your space, your home should say something about you!

Minikahda Lodge

A two-year, 360° carved lodge piece built to be discovered from every angle. This project evolved through multiple phases — starting as a single commissioned carving and growing into a defining feature of the property. Every side tells a different part of the story, designed to reward those who take the time to walk around it. This one is special to me, and so is the friendship I developed with the client who overheard me talking to a friend in line at the local mountain hardware store that I had started carving and no longer wanted to pursue building my construction company I had just started the year before. This 30' tall monster was really where I taught myself how to tackle large stump projects and was done in stages. This was my first client to invite me back for a second significant stump carving on the same property, the "Octopus Address" came next and served as the streetside address landmark to guide Air BnB traffic to the lodge. It is a magical property on a creek in Rhododendron on Mt. Hood with quick access to the resorts and plenty of tasty nature all around!!

Octopus Address - Entrance to Minikahada Lodge Property

A large-scale carved address marker from a fir stump featuring a fully sculpted octopus wrapping around carved rocks and coral. Designed to be the first thing visitors notice — a bold, unmistakable statement piece that sets the tone for the entire property. A tad further down the driveway is the massive 30' tall carving I named after the property - Minikahada Lodge. Its a noteworthy Air BnB I highly recommend - there is a link on the Minikahada Lodge Project page.

Autumn Lane

A carved entry feature designed to complement the natural surroundings of a tree-lined property. The piece captures the character of the Pacific Northwest landscape and integrates directly into the environment it was built for.

Owl Flats Chestnut

Carved on-site from a massive chestnut stump, this piece transforms what was left behind into something worth keeping. The owl motif emerged from the wood itself — guided by the grain, the shape of the stump, and the character of the property.

All Projects

Work That Holds Up in the Real World

Every piece is built for where it's going — not just how it looks in a photo.

I design with you, carve it by hand, and build it to live in the environment it's meant for.

Designed for your space — not pulled from a catalog
Built on-site or in-shop depending on the project
Full process: design → carve → finish → install
Made to be experienced from every angle
Built to last, not just to photograph well

Shop supervisor: Hanz

He goes everywhere with me — part of the process whether he knows it or not.

Every project starts with a conversation.

From there we design, refine, and build something specific to your space — not something pulled off a shelf.

Most work follows a simple path:

concept→design→carving→finishing→install

Beyond the Carving

Milling, material design, and integrating wood into the structure itself.

Projects that evolve over time — from first cut to full property integration.

Have an idea, a space, or a project in mind?

Let's build something that belongs there.

Start a Project