Dean Axelson

Photography

Dean is a veterinarian who for 37 years specialized in the treatment and surgery of birds, reptiles, exotic pets, dogs and cats. He retired in 1997 and turned his practice in North York over to his son. He and his wife moved to Ballantrae in 1996.

His major interests besides his profession is writing, bird watching, photography and sculpting. He has written 8 books on veterinary medicine and archaeology which is another major interest in his life. All the years of treating small creatures has given Dean good eye-hand coordination which has helped him in his sculpting. Diamond power and hand tools are required to carve hard stone like granite and marble.

Dean has had a fascination for nature all his life and this is just another way of expressing his love of nature in all its various aspects. He also has a great interest in rocks and minerals and carving them allows him to bring out the beauty of their structure and colour. Sculpting is a very creative and satisfying art form for Dean. Dean likes to carve birds, animals, reptiles and other natural history subjects. He also carves totem poles and west coast Native wooden masks.

His work has won two first place awards in North York and Bancroft art shows.