Welcome to Sonrise Woodcarving Studio LLC! With over three decades of professional experience, I am dedicated to creating exquisite woodworks and decorative sculptures that showcase my unique designs and master craftsmanship. Every product in this store is handmade in my South Carolina shop using time-honored woodcarving and woodworking techniques.
I began carving in 1983 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as a therapeutic hobby. It became a passion after years of pushing myself through college and seminary while raising a family. In 1986, Sonrise Woodcarving Studio was established in the mid-Hudson Valley of New York, where my hobby of carving decoys and wild birds evolved into a profession of traditional woodcarving. I built and hand carved details for high-end reproduction fireplace surrounds, mantles, and architectural embellishments for a prestigious New York City design firm for the next twenty years.
After the economic and social upheavals of 2008, I shifted my skills toward more creative and artistic endeavors. Relocating to a Pennsylvania village in the Delaware Water Gap on the edge of the Pocono Mountains, I pursued my passion for woodcarving. However, the devastating impact of Hurricane Sandy on the region put an abrupt end to the demand for decorative woodcarvings and sculptures. After the storm we moved once again, this time to South Carolina, in search of new opportunities.
Since 2013, I have been focused on establishing Sonrise Woodcarving Studio as a gallery for my own distinctive designs. My creations are always original, are made of the finest available materials, and are meticulously handcrafted. I make charcuterie and cheese boards, captivating owl designs and whimsical decorative sculptures. With the increasingly obvious attack that is taking place against the Western way of life and especially against America, I have become “activated”, and I am now working to add patriotic and “conservative” designs to my offerings; Made-in-America handcrafted things of high quality that you can’t get from Amazon or Temu or Hobby Lobby. Additionally, I welcome custom commissions: My offerings are limited only by your imagination. I invite you to explore my website gallery for examples of my past work including heirloom-quality carved family coats-of-arms and armorial devices which I particularly enjoy creating when I have the opportunity to do so.
Thank you for your support, and trust in my craftsmanship. I deeply value your business and appreciate the opportunity to bring my passion for woodcarving to life.
Richard Stephan Toman-Woodsculptor/Artist
