by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION (Westmeath) — Adam Fieldhouse can perform a one-man show due to his ability to play a 12-string acoustic guitar.
He explained that most guitars have six, but with double the amount, he gets a fuller sound.
While Mr. Fieldhouse does write his own songs, an opportunity to hear them while he performs is rare, as he prefers to sing classic rock from the 1950s to 90s.
This Saturday, he performs at the Whitewater Lakeside Brewery from 7 to 10 p.m.
But, entertaining with his music is not his only passion. He also enjoys creating carvings from antlers, which started about six years ago.
He was walking in some bush in Mississauga, stepped on an antler and cut his foot. Seeing the uniqueness of the antler, he started collecting the antlers he found. One Mother’s Day, he decided to make something nice for his mother – as she was the one who gave him the gift of music.
Mr. Fieldhouse’s first creation was a bald eagle talon. But, people did not just enjoy hearing the story about the carving, but how he got into after injuring himself.
“I just thought it was a thoughtful gift with a nice story behind it,” he said, adding, “I didn’t think it was anything special.”
He contacted a carver in Parry Sound who taught him the basics of carving and from then on, it was no more store-bought gifts for people. He made gifts for Christmas, birthdays and any other special occasions that arose. He also began getting requests for his carvings, which can be used as pendants or knickknacks….as they fit into the palm of a hand quite comfortably.
He has made skulls, turtles, flowers, guitar picks, hawks, eagles … whatever has been asked. His favourite thing to carve are birds of prey.
“People began asking me to carve things and now carving is therapy for me,” Mr. Fieldhouse said. “When I carve, the world is gone.
“I take something from nature and turn it into something more beautiful, sometimes a symbol for someone.”
Eighteen months ago, he quit his job, and this past summer, decided to make the move from the city to the country, moving to a home in Westmeath.
Mr. Fieldhouse spends many hours carving, noting there is so much intricate detail and sometimes adding crushed stones, such as for eyes or in the case of the skull, as veins, or the stem and leaf of a flower.
“Each piece is a labour of love,” he said. “Sometimes I create carvings that match my mood.”
As an example, he noted when he had a headache, he carved a skull.
Mr. Fieldhouse noted the carvings are unique for each person. He doesn’t advertise his carving business as he’s busy enough without that expense. He sells mostly through word-of-mouth and his facebook page.
