Rick Henson
Originally from Sydney, Australia, Rick has been working with his hands since he was young and began making surfboards at the age of sixteen. In 1972 Rick and his Canadian wife (Sandra) moved to Canada, eventually settling in BC in 1973 with their young son. Rick joined Fox and Fluevog in Victoria as a shoemaker, clogs to be exact. Rick then migrated to cabinet making, where him and his wife formed Lazlo Rossini in the early 80s, which focused on custom made cabinetry. Lazlo Rossini was a very leading edge cabinet making company and became very well known in the industry. Following retirement, while woodworking was no longer his job, it was still his passion and Fairy Glen Studio was reborn in Qualicum Beach. The first wood carving was born at the beginning of 2014 with a sculpture that is called DNA. Using only reclaimed wood for his carvings, Rick progressed to animals inspired by David Attenborough documentaries. The attraction to the shape of the long and fluid birds is what inspired the Canada Goose Collection. In 2019, the Penguin Collection was curated and thus began a search for the perfect wood grain. The Penguins were done originally in purple heart wood, from there he started experimenting with other animals and humans. Rick and Sandra live on the property and enjoy hosting family and friends amongst the geese. Fairy Glen Studio is housed on the property in two large sea cans that were converted into a workshop. Rick continues to experiment with designs and on most days he can be found in the workshop. It is a labour of love.
The Legend of Fairy GlenThe idea of Fairy Glen Studio was conceptualized when Rick decided he wanted to make what he wanted rather than what other people thought they wanted. The first wood carving was born at the beginning of 2014 with a sculpture that is called DNA. We only use reclaimed wood for our carvings. From there we progressed to animals inspired by David Attenborough documentaries. The attraction to the shape of the long and fluid birds is what inspired the Canada Goose Collection. In 2019, the Penguin Collection was curated and thus began a search for the perfect wood grain. The Penguins were done originally in purple heart wood. From there we started experimenting with other animals and humans. These were all carved in the Fairy Glen Studio in Qualicum Beach, BC. Originally the carvings were an experiment and enjoyed by family and friends at the family property. However, these prototypes then evolved into an idea of carving more sculptures to spread the joy. We are called Fairy Glen because it is the property in Tasmania where Rick and Sandra were married in 1972. This magical place inspired the naming of the family property in Qualicum Beach where extended family and friends gather and thus the Fairy Glen Studio was born. Magic continues to be made at Fairy Glen.
No artwork available at this time.