Thomas Langan’s career as a wood carver grew out of his love for the outdoors. As a hunting guide looking for a gunning rig to hunt ducks off Long Island, Thomas decided to carve his own decoys. To make his own rig, he carved 400 decoys, launching a full-time career carving animals when he was 35.
Today, the self-taught carver has work displayed across the globe, including a permanent display in the Museum of American Folk Art in Manhattan. Thomas’s early carvings were done using a large supply of red cedar salvaged from utility poles, but now he carves mostly with pine. Most of the carving work is done with pneumatic tools, and his finishes are hand painted with oil-based paint and antiqued with wax and oil. Each piece is one-of-a-kind and most are in the folk art tradition with subject matter focusing on animals, fish, and wildlife. Custom cat statues are one of his noted items!
Visitors to Thomas Langan American Folk Art can see a vast collection of Thomas’s work on display and for sale. His workshop is a large basement space with several work areas. Make sure to enjoy to the long-range views!
Open by Appointment
