Dan, my father, has been carving carousel horses for over 20 years. He has sold over 40 different horses over the years.
Each animal is made just as the master carvers did dating back to the early 1900's. Basswood is used for carving as it is a softer wood that has few knots. The body is left hollow. Each full size horse takes over 3 months to complete, working 8 hrs a day and 40 hrs a week. My father is a man that can do anything, as he proved here after he retired and took up carving.
My Father passed away this past June but his horses will live on forever! My Dad never once gave up on any project he started. I love my father so much that I still can't believe he is gone. He will always be a part of me, whatever I am or do, he is the reason I could.
In His Memory
We have decided to donate the Illions Replica Carousel Horse to a local Hospital here in Stockton, Ca.
I recently had a meeting with the Vice President from St. Joseph's Hospital and we went over the details. When I told her I was donating one of his horses she was so excited.
St. Joseph's Hospital is undergoing a re-model and when it is completed there will be an entire new Pediatric Wing. The construction is set to be completed in the Summer of 2010. At that time there will be an opening of some sort which I will update this page to reflect the date and times.
They have decided to decorate the entire Pediatric Wing with a Carousel theme to match the horse.
We wanted to give the horse to a place where children would be able to enjoy it.
We also talked about taking the child's photo on or near the Carousel Horse upon release of the hospital as a keepsake for them to keep.
There will be a name plaque displayed near his horse once the new wing is open.