Boat Hooks
The boat hooks are 6½ feet in length and are available in Mahogany, Ash and Cherry. The working end of the boat hook has a bronze hook and the handle end is tapered, designed to keep the pole afloat if dropped overboard. The boat hooks are made in Maine by Shaw & Tenney. Our first step in our process is to sand the poles to a smooth glass-like finish. Then they are ready to be handcarved, using a nautical design, burgee, whale, or a design or your choice. The carved design can be gilded, painted or left natural. When the carving is complete, the wood is given a hand rubbed tung oil finish. This finish will help to protect the boathook from the elements. The next step is the knotted rope work, turks head, spiral hitching and cockscombining, that cover about 30 inches of the pole. The Novatec braided rope that is used, it is available in Burgundy, Navy, Evergreen and White. The final step, the boat hook is signed by the artists.
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I was created June 22, 1950 in Moon Run, Pennsylvania. BA in Art education from Carlow University in 1974. After college I joined two highly selective art associations in Pittsburgh, Associated Artist of Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh Society of Artists. Married Francesca A. Hoffman 1976. I worked at Carnegie Mellon University from 1978 – 1991 and I used my art talents to restore the unique art and architecture at the University. My last project at the University was restoring the George Nakashima collection in Warner Hall. Also during this time in 1986 I received a Master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon in Business and Public Management, and Labor Relations in 87.
The handcarved heirlooms that I create are rich in history, detail and design. The deep, deliberate curves and lines left by the chisels are a statement to the quality and craftsmanship that go into each piece carved. Each piece is a collaboration between my patron and myself as we progress on the journey for each project.
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