Olivia O’Connor

Carving

Olivia O'Connor, woodcarver and artist with sculpture art

THIS IS MY STORY

About

I specialise in handmade rocking horses and rocking horse restoration, I am living and working in South Gippsland, Victoria.

I grew up on a farm on Australia’s Mornington Peninsula. It was the perfect environment to develop a love for natural materials, such as wood and leather, and to appreciate the beauty of the countryside.

A love of working with timber led me to I study Furniture Design and Construction at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, for one year before being accepted into the competitive Prop Making course at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney. During this three-year specialised degree, I worked with wood, leather, foam-sculpting, model- and mould-making and puppet making.

WHAT I DO

My Work

Wood Carving

Sculpture

Prints / Engravings

Rocking Horses

KEEPING UP WITH O’CONNOR

News

I’ll be at the Heide Makers Market the 2nd Saturday of the month September – December!

www.heidemarket.com
Photos from Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades's post ... See MoreSee Less
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Thanks to everyone that has contacted me recently about rocking horse restorations. I have received more quote requests than I expected, so it will take me a little longer to get back to you than I anticipated…but I will be emailing soon!Thank you! #rockinghorse ... See MoreSee Less
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Carving a sweet little set of flying herons from some mighty hard European Beech. It’s not usually known for its carving properties, but it gives such a wonderful finish it’s worth the sore hands. These will be flying along to the @lauristonpress exhibition at the Port Fairy Winter Festival @pfwwfestival 🔥#woodcarving #art #birdart #exhibition #heron #woodcarver #bird ... See MoreSee Less
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Hello there! There are 2 questions I have been asked repeatedly throughout my career: 1. Why Rocking Horses?2. How do you sharpen your carving tools?If you’re interested head on over to www.wooddustaustralia.com.au and follow the links!Great article on my journey to becoming a rocking horse maker and restorer AND a fantastic sharpening event coming up on May 22nd. Join myself, furniture maker @douglasfirdesign and guitar maker Geoff Doube in the Wood Play Studios as we share how we sharpen our different tools quickly and efficiently so we can get back to work! #rockinghorse #wooddust #toolsharpening #woodcarving #melbourne ... See MoreSee Less
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Thrilled to be a part of Craft Lab 24, as part of the Ballarat Heritage Festival! I have some workshops with @raretradescentre …3D Animal Carving (sold out) and Relief Carving (just a couple of spots left!). Check out @raretradescentre to see all the other great Craft Lab events they are hosting! #craftlab #ballarat #visitballarat #raretrades ... See MoreSee Less
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LEARN THE CRAFT

Workshops

From 1 day classes where you’ll dip your toe into the world of woodcarving, through to 5 day workshops, making something decorative or learning technical skills. Join me in a workshop, let the creativity flow and the fun begin!