On Friday, May 16, Doug and Mary Ridley of Paducah will create Santas from Cypress tree knees with a power carver from 10:30 am – 3:30 pm at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea.

Doug and Mary Ridley grew up in Beaver Dam, Kentucky where they were high school sweethearts. Their woodcarving careers first began in the early 1970’s when Mary brought home two small woodcarvings from a flea market. One carving, depicting a mountain man with a rifle by Jim Maxwell of Missouri, intrigued Doug to the point that he tried to copy the figure. About the same time, one of Doug’s co-workers, Bob Danby, was carved ducks and decoys, one of which Doug purchased for Mary. Mary in turn challenged Doug, telling him he could carve and challenged him to carve a duck himself. Bob Danby offered Doug some help getting started and by 1978 Doug was carving in earnest.

Being pretty much self-taught, Doug started out carving ducks and decoys and Mary began the precise painting of his finished works. After working a day with well-known Louisiana woodcarver Mike Bonner, Mary changed from using acrylic paint to oil paint for finishing up Doug’s carvings. She states,” At first I used only acrylic paint, but Mike Bonner preferred using oils. I now use oil paint exclusively except for our ornaments. The paint seems to be longer lasting and really soaks into and bonds with the wood. I can also blend colors better for a richer finish and the carvings can be more easily cleaned when using oil paint.”

Doug uses several hand and power tools to create his works. He roughs out the initial shape with a Foredom power tool and then uses carving knives and a dremmel tool. For the most intricate features he uses a dental drill. Doug states, “I use a dental drill for the fine details because it is so responsive – it’s like drawing on the wood.” On May 16, Doug will be carving Santa figures from Cypress wood with a power carver.

Works by Doug and Mary Ridley are regularly available at the Kentucky Artisan Center, located at 975 Walnut Meadow Road just off Interstate 75 at exit 77 (Berea). The Center’s exhibits, shopping, and travel information areas are all open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the café from 8 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Admission is free. The Center currently features works by more than 650 artisans from 90 counties across the Commonwealth. For more information call 859-985-5448 or visit the Center’s web site at www.kentuckyartisancenter.ky.gov 

The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is an agency in the Commerce Cabinet.