Born In Carmel, CA David quickly grew to love the ocean and it’s creatures. Having an exceptional talent for art at an early age. David developed a love for sculpting in wood. Today David has two passions; outdoor adventures and working with wood. It wasn’t until 1994 that he discovered a way to combine both his loves by creating in his sculpting the images he sees of fish leaping from the water, twisting in the air, and then plunging back into the waves.
David’s first sculpture was made with a simple fillet knife and a scrap of wood found in his garage. The first fish sculpture was a result of of his undying love for the ocean and his desire to be connected to the sport which has given him so much pleasured inspiration. Through sculpture David at last found a way to portray the beauty and power that he has experienced in his years on the water.
Much has changed since that first piece of wood was carved, David recently moved his home base to the New Smyrna Beach area from the FL Keys. He brought his beloved “Keys” wood with him. Mahogany, Wild Tamarind, Norfolk Pine, Spanish Lime, Tropical Almond, and Sapodilla just to name a few.
“The wood that I find” as David tells it, “has the most incredible grain, color, and patterning you could possibly imagine. The wood must portray motion. The wood all but dictates the type of fish and action depicted in my sculpture.”
David starts by using a chain saw to rough out the sculpture and coax the fish out of the wood utilizing grain lines and color patterns within the wood. When this step is finished David is within a quarter-inch of the finished piece. Extensive carving, sanding, detailing, and finishing make up the majority of David’s projects. Two years after he began carving his sculptures were winning awards at fine art and wildlife shows in California.
Going to the next level, David began casting his wood original sculptures in bronze. These limited edition bronzes are “Way over the Top” he says. David is using a wet finish look with jewel tone patinas along with fantastic animation. These bronze sculptures are cutting edge. With the success of the bronzes he was featured on HGTV with Carol Duvall. Hawaiian Billfish Tournament at Kona, HI. Family Waters fly fishing show David was a guest artist doing helicopter fishing in British Columbia then went on to host his own show “Wildlife Art Gallery” on the Outdoor Channel.
David works alone on three to six pieces at one time in his studio. He often does commission sculptures. He began making live edge furniture while living in the Keys.
With his new studio in Oak Hill, FL he calls “Wirth Woods” is on what once was a tree farm it’s 10.5 acres of inspiration.
Staying true to the environment Wirth uses his art to promote conservation and preservation of our land and seas as well as using his medium to tell a story that started with the beginning of time and to honor his faith. David is fond of saying “I make art to fish and hunt, I fish and hunt to make art”
David is also an authorized hook designer from Maui. He hand carves fishhook jewelry in antler, tusk, wood, and casts them in gold, silver, and bronze.
Stop in today to look at the incredible wood creations David has created!
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 11 am – 6 pm
