Tom Mizik of Cedar Canyon Woodworks
Tom Mizik is the Black Forest, Colorado-based artist behind Cedar Canyon Woodworks and a great friend of Wild Birds Unlimited of Colorado Springs. His carved birds span more than 50 species, mostly Colorado natives, with a few stunning exceptions.
Tom got his start carving when he searched for reasonably priced woodcarvings with no luck. As a lifelong do-it-yourselfer, he decided to try making his own and got a little better at it over time. Now, nearly 30 years and more than a thousand pieces later, his carvings have been described as a Peterson Field Guide in 3D.
A collection of Tom Mizik’s hand-carved birds, displayed at Wild Birds Unlimited of Colorado Springs
Creating Each Bird
“Creating a piece is an escape for me. I can forget about chores and concentrate on liberating a bird from its surrounding chunk of wood.
“The steps involved in creating a piece include a trip to the mountains to locate naturally weathered bases to mount them on. Not all are artistically equal, but I gather everything that might work. To get views from all angles, especially that always-difficult under-the-tail look, Google Images is a must. Painters have it easy!
“So, I cut out the profile on a bandsaw, round out the body, flatten the tail, sand all the marks out, draw the color lines, paint, and then apply several coats of polyurethane.
“What I want people to notice when seeing my art for the first time are the realistic shapes, the colors, and the contrast between the weathered base and a very glossy bird. I love the look on people’s faces when they walk by and smile, or sometimes stop and stare at that one bird that may have a special meaning to them.”
Meet Tom at His Annual Show
Tom typically brings his complete collection to Wild Birds Unlimited of Colorado Springs for a special show during the first weekend in December. It is a wonderful opportunity to see the full variety of his work, find a meaningful piece, and meet the artist behind these remarkable birds.
The exact dates may vary from year to year, so watch our website and social media pages for the latest event details.
Featured in the Colorado Springs Gazette
Tom and his work were featured in the Colorado Springs Gazette in December 2024. The article visits his Black Forest workshop and explores how birdwatching, locally gathered wood, and decades of experience come together in his lifelike carvings.