Nebraska woodcarver transforms ordinary wood into extraordinary art

NORFOLK, Neb. - Since the 1980s, a northeast Nebraska woodcarver has been transforming plain wood into masterpieces that look straight out of a magazine, showcasing how dedicated imagination can turn ordinary blocks of wood into whimsical, lifelike creatures.

To the average eye, a simple block of wood means nothing. But to Roger Nadrchal, a man with more than 40 years of experience, the possibilities are endless.

Nadrchal, who was introduced to woodworking by a family member at the age of 12, details his early journey.

"I’m self-taught somewhat," said woodcarver Roger Nadrchal. "I had an uncle who gave me a little handsaw and some patterns to cut out some little lawn ornaments when I was 12. He liked doing that, and he passed that on to me, and he was always interested in what I was doing and accomplishing in my younger years. And that just kind of kept me going."

Nadrchal also took many classes in high school involving shop and home economics, which played a vital role in shaping his future visions.

While gaining that valuable knowledge, Nadrchal quickly surpassed lawn ornaments, diving into the world of unique art by joining a Norfolk wood carving club.

"I would always go to the show because it always intrigued me to see what they were able to accomplish," said Nadrchal. "Whether it's animals, Santas, or snowmen."

From that time on, his imagination never stopped flowing. He enjoyed the hobby so much that minutes turned into countless hours, recalling how a small ornament two or three inches can take up to an hour and a half to create, while his favorite piece, a pair of giraffes, took around 300 hours.

The long creative process also involves a lot of texture ingrained in each piece, which might include wood burning to create hairlines and more details in the animal.

Although some carvings are smaller than an actual creature, from afar, they seem almost lifelike, which has been achieved through Nadrchal's well-thought-out and unique approach. "I study a lot of books with different animals in them, but this past summer, I went to the Lincoln Zoo to study the drafts in person where they come right up to you. I can look at their bone structure, their muscles, and just see their movements. So I can design the piece," said Nadrchal.

The Norfolk Art Center will be displaying more than 100 woodcarvings and will be available to see until February 20.