Mal MacPhail Collaboration
The following collection showcases several pieces that have been carved by Mal MacPhail, with acrylic and pyrography accents being completed by Laurie as part of an ongoing collaborative effort.
For more info about Mal, see below.
Carvings are being done with bark supplied by a cottage owner in the British Columbia Interior, who then gives the pieces to locals affected by recent wildfires. The bark itself comes from the area where they live.
 Whistler Chalet22" x 5" x 3" |  Red Ladders19" x 5" x 5" |  Brick Tower18" x 5" x 5" |
|---|---|---|
 Red Door Chalet(front view) 9" x 4.5" x 3" |  Red Door Chalet(left side view) 9" x 4.5" x 3" |  Red Door Chalet(right side view) 9" x 4.5" x 3" |
Photography by Laurie Jones-Canta
Laurie and Mal pictured at the 'Gather Together' exhibit in November 2023
Mal MacPhail - Carver and Collaborator
Mal began cottonwood bark carving in 2013. Needing something to occupy his time while travelling as a 'snowbird' in the winter he found a class at the Dogwood Pavilion which offered instruction. Al Phillips oversaw the class and started everyone on small carving projects. After about three weeks, Mal was hooked. Carving tools were purchased, an existing storage room was converted to a workshop, and the quest to acquire bark was on. It is found at the river’s edge, in the forest, on bark sale websites, and on the golf course that Mal belongs to.
His carving occupies a number of hours per day and the enjoyment continues. Mal’s carvings reside in friends' residences from Vancouver Island to eastern Ontario, as well as a few in Switzerland and Germany.
After entering an exhibit in 2023, Mal and Laurie have agreed to continue creating together - he carves fantasy houses exclusively and Laurie does the pyrography and acrylic painting on pieces of his choosing. The two will be entering more calls to artists so that the work gets more exposure. Pieces are featured in two annual sales at Dogwood Pavilion where their woodshop and programs are situated.
For more information regarding commissions or sales, please feel free to reach out through the contact form, or links, on the About page.