This wooden  Converse sneaker piece was hand carved by artist Benjamin Thompson.  Measures approximately 18" long and 8" wide. Perfect for the Converse enthusiast!

Artist Statement 

"When I was in high school I took a sculpture course and learned some basic wood carving skills. Over the years I have done a few wood carving projects as gifts for friends and relatives. Then, in 1979 I went into medical school and entered the medical profession, so for the next 28 years I was a practicing physician and put all of my creativity on the back shelf as so many of us do. 

As a result of two bouts with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma I decided to get out of medicine. In the summer of 2008 I had the good fortune to take a wood-carving course with Chris Pye. My skill level and confidence took a giant leap forward. Since then I have continued to hone my carving skills and have worked on not only sculptures, but relief carving, architectural carving and letter carving. In 2010 I added wood turning to my skill set and have started to combine my turning skills with my carving skills to make some more unique pieces that might set me apart from those that just do wood turning and those that just do sculpture. In the spring of 2012 I started work on my “dangerous container” series which I hope to develop into a solo gallery show.

Over the years I have dabbled in poetry and it has been an effective means for me to really express my emotions. When I was dealing with my first cancer treatment I wrote a book of poems about my experience. In recent years I have gotten away from the poetry and have used the carving as a means of expression. But I would love to try to combine the two, so my blog will have on going reflections and sporadic poetry as I am moved. I hope to spend the next phase of my life exploring the right side of my brain as I explored the left side with my medicine for so many years."

This item was donated in honor of Tatiana Green for her bravery during her battle with melanoma.