Joshua Guge Portrait

Joshua Guge

Wood Sculptor

FINS IN WOOD, LTD

Instructor

GUGE INSTITUTE OF WILDLIFE ART

Joshua is 3rd generation wood carver, born into a family of very talented artists. At an early age Josh learned the art of wood carving from his father and grandfather. Roy Guge, his grandfather, started the family tradition by becoming a full time bird carver, a much sought after teacher, and a four-time World Champion carver.

By the age of thirteen Joshua was selling his fish carvings to art galleries and began competing by the age of seventeen. He has won several competitions and "Best of Show" honors. In 2000 Joshua began working on a series of cast reproductions for the Danbury Mint. After graduating from Judson University with a Bachelor's Degree in Visual Communications, he began his own wood carving business. He has also taught art at Westminster Christian School in Elgin, IL and continues to teach children and adults in his home studio and surrounding communities.

Since 2003 he has taught carving seminars around the country, and in 2004 decided to start the Guge Institute of Wildlife Art and continue sharing his passion for the arts with others. His classes include painting, carving, sculpting, and drawing. Joshua's carvings range from primitive decoys. to highly detailed realistic depictions. Each one is carved with the use of power tools, drills, and skilled handwork. They are hand painted original works of art. He uses wood, metals, epoxy, and acrylic paints to create his life like pieces.

Awards

  • First Place - Putnam Museum, Iowa (2002, 2003, 2005)
  • First Place - Salt Water Fish, World Show, Ocean City, Maryland (2004)
  • First Place - Fresh Water Fish, World Show, Ocean City, Maryland (2002)
  • Best of Show - Fresh Water Fish, Putnam Museum, Iowa (2002)
  • Best of Show - Saltwater Fish, World Show, Ocean City, Maryland (2000)
  • Best of Show - Song Birds, Livonia, Michigan (1997)
  • Best of Show - Salt Water Fish, Bloomington, Minnesota (1997)
  • Best of Show - Salt Water Fish, Congress Show, Davenport Iowa (2006, 2008)
  • Best of Show - Song Birds, Congress Show, Davenport, Iowa (2008)
  • Best of Show - Song Birds, World Show, Ocean City, Maryland (2008)