Richard Bravo

La Huella del Picaflor

Woodcarver

©Nicolas Alfonso Roldan

The charm of bird sculptures

Richard has been carving birds since the early 2000s
His pieces have earned him several awards in Chile
In addition to their aesthetic, his birds have an educational value

Richard Bravo has always worked with wood – making furniture, doors, windows and restorations. All along, he aspired to go further, so he began to make sculptures. At first, it was difficult for him, since they are pieces that are made in 3D, but it was clear that he had the talent required. "Little by little I perfected myself in an autonomous way and over the years I improved," he says. "For years, when I arrived home from my day job, I would work every evening and on every day off making birds, until I achieved independence. Today I can earn a living from my craft." Richard's perseverance over time on this journey has led him to earn a place among the best bird carvers in Chile.

Interview

©Nicolas Alfonso Roldan

©Nicolas Alfonso Roldan

What do you like most about working with wood?: I chose this craft because I always felt a passion for carving. When I was a child, I was interested in decorative figures. When the opportunity to make them with my own hands arose, I began to feel that I was making my dreams come true.
What was the first bird you made?: The first work I carved was an Australian parakeet (cata), and it did not fit well. I carved it several times until I got closer to the real thing. From then on, I carved different species, to reach the point where I am now.
Do the birds you carve have a connection to Chile?: I make replicas of Chilean and migratory birds that inhabit or arrive in the national territory, endemic birds. My idea is to expose and educate people about the habitat of birds and how they survive in different climates. This is achieved through educational exhibitions, which involve professional experts on the subject, such as ornithologists.
What do you like most about your profession?: I like the passion I have for carving, and working with wood, as I find that it is a noble element that is also capable of being recycled. Making the birds and ornamenting them is done in 15 stages.

Richard Bravo is a master artisan: he began his career in 2008 and he started teaching in 2015