What You Need To Know

Measurements; The carved artwork measures 9.75 inches wide by 13.75 inches high without a frame. When framed, the overall dimensions are 16 x 20 inches.

Material and Finish: Each piece is carved from dark walnut or bamboo strips that are bonded to a hard‑pressed wood backing for long‑term stability. After carving, the surface is tinted or stained, then finished with mineral oil, beeswax, or lacquer. These finishes enhance the grain, deepen the tones, and provide a protective final polish.

Color and Grain: Please note that online photographs may not perfectly match the appearance of the finished carving. Lighting, camera angle, and screen settings can all influence how the colors appear. Because the original carvings are not sold, each reproduction will naturally vary slightly in wood grain, tone, and texture. We carefully select the wood for every piece, but subtle variations are part of the beauty of handcrafted work.

Hand‑Crafted Process: Every carving begins with a concept sketch. The design is refined—often through multiple drawings—until the composition is ready to be translated into a three‑dimensional relief. From there, custom computer code is created and tested to prepare the carving for CNC machining. The CNC machine performs the initial rough cut, after which the piece is shaped and refined by hand using chisels. This is followed by extensive sanding, close inspection, and final detailing to bring out the depth and character of the design.

Style of Carving: Some pieces intentionally feature a primitive or rustic carving style, where visible tool marks and emphasized carving strokes add texture, movement, and a unique tactile quality.

Shipping: Shipping is free. This allows us to control the packaging and shipping method to ensure your carving arrives safely and without damage.

Contact: You are welcome to reach out at any time with questions. Phone: (203) 321‑7438 Email: ddxsquaredy@gmail.com

Images and Designs: All images and designs are the property of the artist. Duplication in any form is prohibited without prior written permission.

Artist Background

Don Dakan has spent his life moving between education, leadership, and the arts. He has been a mathematics teacher, the CEO of nonprofit organizations, the CEO of a corporation, and a lifelong creative thinker. His introduction to carving began in college through a sculpture assignment and an art history course—an experience that sparked a lasting fascination with the art world. Although career and responsibilities limited his ability to pursue art consistently, he returned to carving whenever time allowed, working with marble, alabaster, and soapstone. Upon retirement, he finally had the freedom to immerse himself fully in his artistic passion. Stone carving became too physically demanding, so he shifted to wood relief sculpture, rediscovering old skills and developing new ones. Now in his 80s, Don is fully dedicated to his craft, creating expressive relief carvings that blend technique, texture, and storytelling.