Floyd contemplates progress on a Grey Phase Screech OwlFloyd Scholz, Bio
A professional carver since 1983 and with over 50 years of carving, Floyd Scholz is universally recognized as a top carver of birds in the world. His portrayal of eagles, hawks, owls and many other large birds has won him a large international following and many top awards at major shows throughout the country. When not in his studio, traveling and doing essential field studies of birds take up most of his time.
"Since 1968 I've had the pleasure of pursuing what has become my life-long passion of transformation—taking a block of wood, and with careful planning and carving, transforming it into a beautiful bird. I've been teaching the art of bird carving since 1990. It's been since then that my life has really opened up through teaching. I've had the privilege of working with and getting to know some of the finest people in the world!"
Scholz's work has been included in the prestigious Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum "Birds in Art" exhibition and has been featured in many publications including People Magazine and Smithsonian Studies in American Art. His work is included in many important collections worldwide, and he has been featured on many television shows nationwide.
Scholz is also the author of the best selling books "Peregrine Falcon: Dynamic Carving and Painting Techniques for a New Era," "Owls," "Birds of Prey" and "Carving and Painting a Red-tailed Hawk," published by Stackpole Books; see archive below. Scholz's sculptures are in great demand, and his larger works routinely command prices of several hundred thousand dollars.
Scholz moved to Vermont in 1980 after graduating from Central Connecticut State University with a B.S. degree in Industrial Education. This former NCAA decathlon champion was interested in hiking, birds of prey, working with wood, and learning to play the banjo. He wasn't sure how those ingredients would fit together in the form of a career, but the Green Mountains of Vermont seemed like a good place to sit back and let life simmer while things sorted themselves out. At first, Scholz intended to teach school, but he found that logging paid better, and the physical labor was rewarding. He later worked for a building contractor, and then in 1983 began carving full time.
Scholz enjoys the drama, grace, and mystery of birds of prey, and his sculptures depict the birds in a highly animated way. He has spent thousands of hours observing hawks and eagles in the mountains near his home, and he has watched them as they interact with their environment, playing in the wind above the cliffs of Mt. Horrid or hunting in a spruce thicket along the White River. Hawks are birds of action
and high drama, and that's how he portrays them.
With the seed of desire to learn more about these elusive creatures firmly planted in his soul, it was with fanatical drive and determination that he entered an open door to a new world of possibilities and discovery in his adopted state. "My life's passion of celebrating the spirit and majesty of birds through the medium of wood and paints could not have fully blossomed without the stimulating environment provided by such a beautiful and diverse state as Vermont."
Although Floyd's books are out of print, they are referenced in the archive below.
Peregrine Falcon: Dynamic Carving and Painting Techniques for a New Era
Floyd Scholz explains how he carved and painted a breathtaking sculpture of a Peregrine Falcon capturing a green-winged teal in flight. Floyd's detailed descriptions outline the carving techniques that turn wood into art and the painting steps that bring the carving to life. From how to rough out the block with a chainsaw to the proper way to detail with an airbrush—it's all here! The book also includes patterns, detailed color guides, and reference photos and information about the live bird—presented in Floyd's inimitable style. Released Spring, 2014. Check out the Amazon reviews!
Golden
Eagle: A Behind the Scene Look at the Art of Bird Carving
A behind the scenes look at how Floyd Scholz creates one of his most ambitious pieces....a lifesize Golden Eagle in flight. Beautiful color photos document the carving's progression from a block of wood to a finished work of art. Accompanying text offers an abundance of "how-to" information as well as Scholz's thoughts as he works on the carving. Includes preliminary sketches and notes, candid studio shots, work in progress images, corrections, and journal entries. A unique look at the creative process that will inspire carvers, artists and bird lovers alike. Released June 2007.
DVD: Carving & Painting The American Kestrel with Floyd Scholz
Take a seminar with Floyd for only $49.95! At long last... a 2 DVD set released on Dec. 2005, available here from The Vermont Raptor Academy.
Birds of Prey, By Floyd Scholz
This book contains an abundance of Floyd's tips, secrets and techniques to aid you in advancing your skills in completing a number of sculpture projects. Includes numerous reference photos, diagrams, patterns and drawings along with a photo gallery of Floyd's work.
500 color photos of hawks, falcons, eagles and ospreys. Each book was individually autographed by Floyd before mailing.
Owls, By Floyd Scholz 
The long-awaited follow-up to Floyd's groundbreaking book, Birds of Prey. This extraordinary edition is a must-have, comprehensive visual guide for any artist/carver's library. If you liked Birds of Prey, you'll love Owls.
Includes detailed diagrams, drawings, charts, informative text, carving projects, and hundreds of crystal clear photographs. Also includes a photo gallery of Scholz' work. Autographed.
Carving
& Painting an American Kestrel, with Floyd Scholz
By far the most comprehensive book on all aspects of bird carving. Chapters include design and composition, bandsaw usage and setup, wood selection, and pattern drawing and design. The book contains the same topics that are covered in Floyd's wildly-popular seminars. As an added bonus, a complete listing of all current suppliers and relevant necessities related to the fine art of bird-carving is included. A must-have edition well worth the price of admission!
Press & Media
"My photographer, Ellyn Siviglia, put together a slide show with banjo music that I absolutely love!"
Floyd Scholz
Spring 2023 Issue of Wildfowl Carving Magazine features carving of Great Horned Owl in flight!
Feb 13, 2018, Bird Calls Radio #114 interview.
Nov 2014 Profile in West Lebanon, NH Valley News: "The Soul of Birds"
The Summer 2012 and Summer 2014 issues of Wildfowl Carving Magazine featured carvings by Floyd on the cover as well as:
- an excerpt from his book Peregrine Falcon: Carving and Painting Techniques for a New Era
- the Showcase: Ridge Pursuit, Part One in the Summer 2012 issue, and
- Ridge Pursuit, Part Two in the Fall 2012 issue.
- Floyd's work is featured in Wildfowl Carving Magazine's Competition 2013.
The Spring 2006 and Winter 2007 issues of Wildfowl Carving Magazine featured carvings by Floyd on the cover and a preview of the Golden Eagle book.
April 2008, featured on NPR's The Story with Dick Gordon. (Click to play the 50 minute interview above the short summary.)
Seminar Location
Starting in 2025, Scholz's seminars are taught in Quechee, Vermont at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS).
