Once upon a time we had a store full of completed dog carvings with more awaiting completion in the studio. And beyond that there was nearly always a huge log or two outside waiting to be carved into more dogs. Now, the day has arrived when we have no dogs in the store for sale, no more in the studio waiting to be carved, and no more logs to be turned into carvings. Just a bit of wood shavings and sawdust remain.
Our carving career has come to a close. It is with mixed feelings we enter this new phase as our wooden dogs have prominently been in our lives for over thirty years. Dennis and I are not stepping away from being present at Dog Bark Park since the studio is but a few hundred steps from our home. The big beagle, although closed for guest stays, will remain a roadside attraction welcoming travelers to stop for photos of Sweet Willy and the other oversized outdoor art structures at Dog Bark Park. And, if we’re in the studio we welcome your visit to chat & view all sorts of carvings Dennis has created over the years. Slowly we are transforming the studio’s gift shop to a museum of sorts where the progression and variety of his art will be featured. We also have a collection of mid-century porcelain dog figurines that are for sale along with postcards and our book telling our story – Sweet Willy Book – Dog Bark Park.