Deborah Mills Woodcarving
Chisels at Work Near Court Square
“…sideboards, cabinets and the like, which we have quite as much for beauty’s sake as for use; we need not spare ornament on these, but may make them as elegant and as elaborate as we can with carving, inlaying or painting…” ~William Morris
In her Long Island City studio, artisan Deborah Mills continues a long tradition of customized, passion-filled work of wood carving. Mills designs and carves every commission by hand, using chisels and mallets in a meticulous process.Incorporating symbols and motifs from historic folk and medieval sources, Mills’ designs and skilled craftsmanship contribute to making what she calls “people’s personal history.” She collaborates with other New York City artisans to carve ambitious works like theSt. Peregrine Shrine, the lion cornice she hewed of cherry wood with Brooklyn cabinetmaker Wolfgang Pflanzl, and the playful Cowardly Lion Mirror.
Mills sometimes accepts commissions for original sculptures from individuals, but mostly she works with New York City based architects, designers, restoration experts, museums, and cabinetmakers. She has positioned herself within a bustling, growing business cluster -- a “microclimate,” she calls it, in which each player is able to “create work for one another.” Her extensive portfolio ranges between one-of-a-kind original designs, reproductions, and restoration projects. Mills receives commercial and private commissions, building architectural elements, liturgical furnishings, doors and doorways, and fireplace mantels. Mills also designs and carves decorative relief panels and ornamental details on capitals, cornices, newel posts, antique reproductions, friezes, and panels.
