Harold Blumer

Harold makes original wood carvings. They are hand carved from Western Cottonwood Bark taken from dead trees found in the river bottoms of the Dakotas and Montana. Cottonwood bark has become a popular medium for carving faces, wood spirits and whimsical structures. The unique size and structure of the individual bark pieces is different and makes each carving truly original. The barn is finished with clear lacquer which brings out its natural color.

Harold began to seriously develop a life long interest in wood carving after his retirement sixteen years ago. He began his new avocation with classes from nationally known carving artist Dave Constantine from Durand, Wisconsin and has since taken classes from a number of other well known carving professionals. He carves a wide variety of items including realistic fish and bird, caricatues, unique interest items, and ethnic reproductions. Harold taught beginning wood carving for several years as a member of an amateur carvers club in Eau Claire and has also taught classes here in the Cumberland area. He has only recently begun making his carvings available for sale.

Harold culminated a 30 year administrative career in public service as the City Administrator at Altoona Wisconsin, retiring sixteen years ago. He and his wide Helen moved to the Cumberland area after her retirement eight years ago.

Harold would leave you with a comment he makes to his carving students. "Wood is repairable"... If any of Harolds pieces are ever broken a touch of good quality wood glue can usually mend it quite easily. It is a touch of old world value in this new throw away society.