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Ellen McCaleb

[ Wood ]

Ellen McCaleb carves trophy fish that commemorate a fisherman’s prize catch and bridge the worlds of water and land, past and present. Each commission honors the spirit of the fish and the story of its catch and release.

She coaxes the shape from a life-size block of wood, adds layer upon layer of oil paint for depth of color and texture, and mounts them for display. “My pieces are realistic,” says McCaleb, “but Mother Nature’s work is too magnificent for me to attempt to copy. I create art that tips my hat in her direction.”

Following a European tradition of wood carving that began in the late 1800s, her art conveys respect for nature and describes—along with measurements and photographs—her clients’ experiences, such as a son’s first rainbow trout, caught in Alaska, or the thrill of catching wild salmon.

“Fish have taught me that, like people, no two are alike,” says McCaleb who is also a fly fisherman. “They’re all beautiful and colorful. Many are survivors, exhibiting an intelligence beyond instinct.”

Ellen McCaleb, Barrington, N.H. | 603 664-7347
ellen@fishcarvings.com | fishcarvings.com

Pricing: Custom carvings of the traditional half body with plaque vary by species and size, and are approximately $100 per inch of actual fish.
Portraits $450 to $2,000; Copper Sculptures $375 to $650; Studio carvings $525 to $650