About David A. Wirth

Born in Carmel, California David quickly grew to love the ocean and it’s creatures. His father took him fishing in Monterey Bay when he could barely hold a rod and reel. After relocating to Minnesota, David developed his freshwater angling skills in the region’s numerous lakes. With Aspen as his home base, he later mastered his fly fishing techniques in the streams of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

Having an exceptional talent for art at an early age, David developed a love for sculpting in wood. Today David has two passions: Outdoor adventures and working with wood. It wasn’t until 1994 that he discovered a way to combine both his loves by creating in his sculpting the images he sees of fish leaping from the water, twisting in the air, and then plunging back into the waves.

David’s first sculpture was made with a simple fillet knife and a scrap of wood found in his garage. This first sculpture was the result of David’s undying love for the ocean and his desire to be connected to the sport which has given him so much pleasure and inspiration. Through sculpture, David at last has found a way to portray the beauty and power that he has experienced in his years on the water.

Much has changed since that first piece of wood was carved, David recently moved his home base to South Florida while he continues to sculpt in his studios in Maui and the Florida Keys. His two children are still based in Southern California where David spends part of each year.

He brought much of his beloved “California” wood with him to South Florida so he continues to sculpt California Orange, Oak, Olive and Black Walnut. While in his studio in Maui his “Brahda's keep him supplied with beautiful “Native Hawaiian” hard woods such as Koa, Mango, Macadamia Nut, Cook Pine, and Monkey Pod just to name a few.

With home being Florida David has begun his journey of sculpting “Native Florida” hard woods such as Cuban Mahogany, Jamaican Dogwood, Black Ironwood, along with plenty of citrus.

“The wood that I find” as David tells it, “has the most incredible grain, color, and patterning you can imagine. Selection of the tree is a crucial step. The wood must portray motion. The choice (wood) all but dictates the type of fish and action depicted in my sculpture.”

David starts by using a chain saw to rough-out the sculpture and coax the fish out of the wood utilizing grain-lines and color patterns within the wood. When this step is finished David is within a quarter-inch of the finished piece. Extensive carving, sanding, and detailing make up the majority of David’s projects. Two years after he began carving his sculptures were winning awards at fine art and wildlife shows in California.

Going to the next level, David is casting bronze from his wood originals. These limited edition bronzes are “Way over the top” he says. David is using a wet finish look with jewel tone patinas along with fantastic animation. These bronze sculptures are absolutely cutting edge. With the success of the bronzes he was featured on HGTV(Home and Garden Channel) with Carol Duvall and the Hawaiian Bill Fish Tournament at Kona, HI. “Familiar Waters” fly fishing show David was a guest artist doing helicopter fishing in British Columbia, Canada and hosted his own show “Wildlife Art Gallery” on The Outdoor Channel’s new HDTV series.

David works alone on three to six pieces at one time in his studio’s in South Florida and Maui. David does commissioned sculptures of life-like game fish and other marine life. Each sculpture, once commissioned, takes one to six months to complete.

David’s Sculptures can be found on display and for sale at the IGFA (International Game Fish Association) World Fishing Center/Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum in Dania, Florida as well as well as The Sculpture Gallery located in the Rain Barrel Artist Village in Islamorada, Florida Keys and in Maui at The Whaler’s Locker in Lahina, Maui.

The IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum chose David as the 2006 Featured Artist. David also supports Make-A-Wish Foundation in Florida and California, IGFA’s Junion Angler and Conservation programs, and many other “Take a Kid Fishing” programs.

©2010 David A. Wirth. All rights reserved.