Giles Newman is a sculptor and woodcarver based in northern England. His work stands out in a world of mass production and digital culture. Newman creates intricate pieces that blend nature with artistry. His carvings range from abstract sculptures to detailed pendants and spoons.

The journey to becoming a full-time carver was not Newman’s original path. He once worked as a graphic designer in the city. The demanding office environment left him feeling depleted. Weekends offered him escape. His father owned a small forest, and Newman would retreat there to find peace.

During those woodland visits, Newman developed a connection to the natural world. He would clear streams of debris and maintain forest paths. These simple tasks brought him the satisfaction that his city job could never provide. This was where his passion for working with his hands truly began to flourish.

Newman started small. He gathered fallen pieces of wood and began whittling them. He carved simple points and shapes. His first attempts were humble. That changed during a weekend gathering with friends in Lancashire. He watched as they carved wood into eating spoons and used them over a campfire. This moment sparked something inside him. The practical beauty of hand-carved spoons fascinated him completely.

His initial spoon carvings resembled spatulas more than refined utensils. Newman did not give up. Instead, he filled sketchbooks with new designs. He studied the forms he wanted to create. At first, he used all the “good” wood from his collection. Yet he follows a strict principle: he refuses to cut living trees for his work.

This ethical approach forced Newman to reconsider his methods. He turned to the misshapen and odd pieces that others had rejected. This shift changed everything about his artistic practice. Newman realized something crucial. The wood should tell the artist what it wants to become. The artist should not impose a vision onto the material.

This philosophy transformed his carvings. Organic shapes emerged from unlikely pieces of timber. Ivy vines appeared in the grain. Dragon wings seemed to unfold from the wood. Horse necks curved with natural grace. Deer antlers and foxglove bells materialized from materials that seemed unusable. The intricacy of his work became remarkable.

Newman’s process remains tied to tradition. He works primarily with an axe and knife. He chooses wood from the forest of Coed Tegid in North Wales. Often he carves by an open fire in a clearing. He begins with a small axe, making cuts that appear almost random. Gradually, the form reveals itself. Then he switches to a knife for finer details. The piece slowly emerges from the raw material.

His work encompasses several types of creations. Fine art spoons showcase his technical skill and artistic vision. Pendants carved from wood become wearable art. Abstract sculptures reflect emotional and physical responses to the human condition. Nature-inspired jewelry draws directly from the forms he discovers in fallen timber.

News of Newman’s carvings spread through online platforms. He established an Etsy store and sold his work quickly. Demand grew faster than he could produce pieces. The weekend hobby could not sustain the level of interest. Making a decision that required courage, Newman left his graphic design job. He chose to pursue carving full-time.

His audience continues to expand. His Instagram account grew to 100000 followers. Each time he updates his online shop, items sell out almost immediately. He has also developed woodcarving kits designed for people learning the craft. These kits come with his own designs, created with carvers of all levels in mind.

Newman now offers workshops and group training sessions. These gatherings teach people about woodcarving and wellbeing. He provides one-to-one training for those seeking deeper instruction. Online tutorials allow people worldwide to learn his techniques.

In a society that values speed and efficiency, Newman chose a different path. He stepped away from grid-connected urban life. He embraced a slower pace. His hands shape wood with intention. His designs honor natural forms. His carvings carry the warmth of genuine human creativity.

Newman’s work proves that meaningful art can emerge when someone listens to both their own heart and the materials they work with. His pieces remind us that the most valuable creations often come from simply paying attention to nature and allowing it to guide our hands.