Wood shavings curled across the workshop desk as Tommy Deeds carefully glided a palm gouge through a block of basswood, focusing on every detail as he transformed it into a cardinal.
Deeds grew up near Eagle Mountain Lake on Liberty School Road. He attended Azle schools and graduated from Azle High School in 1967. His father was an iron worker, and Deeds familiarized himself with construction through his father. He says he has always enjoyed creating and problem solving. He also grew up with a passion for drawing and woodworking.
Deeds was inspired to start wood carving by his uncle, Larry Dempsey. After Dempsey retired, he spent much of his time carving birds. Around 2000, a few years after the death of Deeds’ son, Toby, he created a relief-carved portrait of him. The project was deeply meaningful for him, and it reignited his passion for wood carving. He went on to take a few classes to further develop his skills and the hobby quickly became an important part of his life.
