Wendy Lichtensteiger

Wendy Lichtensteiger Artist - Wood Carver

Wendy Lichtensteiger is a Vermont woodcarver who specializes in carving lifesize birds. Lictensteiger graduated college with a degree in Studio Art. Though she knew her Dad had carved wooden birds for 30 years, it was not something she thought she was interested in. But then she tried it.

Artist Statement from Wendy

I have an immense love and respect for nature and animals.
I love and respect people as well.
I believe the lessons we can learn from nature, and animal behavior are beautiful, simple, and endless.
I believe in communication and truth. I believe in helping each other, not hurting.
I believe in happiness and humor.
I believe a purpose for every person and thing.
I love the act of carving wood, and working with my hands.
I love reclaiming what is thought to be waste, and creating something to be appreciated.
I love to observe my surroundings.
I love taking photographs, listening to music, speaking with people, and translating these experiences.
I had a childhood and an education.
I will be happy to tell you all about it, perhaps over a cup of coffee.
I do love coffee.
I am fortunate to be able to combine my beliefs and loves, to do what I love, and love what I do.

The Art of Bird Sculpture

Creating a Bird Sculpture, from picking the perfect log, the act of cutting and shaping, beginning to see the end result, and the endless subject matter, is invigorating and addictive, says Lichtensteiger. Once she got the taste for carving birds in wood, Wendy was addicted. In 2000, she moved back to New Jersey and began what would be 6 years of apprenticeship in her Dad’s garage.

After that, she moved here to Vermont and set up her Studio. Visiting Stowe one day, she met Susan, saw our Art Gallery & felt we would be a great fit for her wood bird sculptures.

Wormy Chestnut has the Character a wood carver would love

Wendy carves using American wormy Chestnut. This wood is full of character. Cracks and checks are a natural characteristic of the wood. So are "worm holes". The worm holes come from small borers who chewed pin sized holes into the wood, hence the term “wormy”.

Lichtensteiger stains rather than paints most of her birds. This brings out the chestnuts “feathery” grain. Each Wendy Lichtensteiger piece displays the beauty of nature both in the grain of the wood and the natural form of the subject.