By Anne Groebner

Wood spirit carvings are mythical, wise, and sometimes mischievous faces carved into wood or bark, dating back hundreds of years — mythology rooted in European and Native American folklore. It’s believed that carvers of these faces release these spirits to bring good luck and ward off evil and to protect travelers. Ancient Celtic beliefs also consider wood spirits protectors of trees, and these beliefs state that trees provided not only earthly sustenance but spiritual blessings. With their roots stretching down to the Under-world and branches reaching to the Upper-world, they connect the powers above with the physical world.

Ric Cromwell is one of those carvers who releases spirits from pieces of bark from old cottonwood trees. He has been carving wood spirits for over 12 years. Meticulously carving each piece with hand tools, he is a perfectionist, working hours to get every whisker and each feature to his liking. Today there are over 281 of Ric’s carvings, and although he sells a lot of them, he has a hard time parting with some. When he first started, he carved so many that his wife, Connie, told him, “Ric, you need to start selling these; they’re all over the house!” He still has a few in his house that he will never sell.

Cromwell gets his cottonwood tree bark from British Columbia. After a cottonwood tree dies, it’s left alone for a year to slowly dry the bark, which is incredibly thick. Because it has split from a tree, it also has a curve to it. It’s important to only use bark off of cottonwood trees from cold climates. He tells me that in warmer climates; they dry too fast and will crack. He showed me the cracks in the piece he was working on. Not all pieces of wood are perfect, but once he starts a carving, he finishes it no matter what.

Ric served as a Marine in Vietnam and then went to work in a factory, and went to school at night to get his degree. After finishing college with a degree, Hyster Lift Truck Company promoted him to the purchasing department, where he worked as a professional buyer. From there, he went to work for Motorola in the two-way radio department, which eventually turned into the cellular division. After 10 years, he quit Motorola and started his own volleyball company called Sand Sports, which he sold after 15 years. The company is still in business today. He moved to Overgaard and bought the office supply store. In 2008, he started a furniture consignment business. He sold both, met and married Connie, and moved to Show Low.

Today, Cromwell is retired. He is a history buff, and his garage is full of vintage relics, including a vintage van called the “Scooby Van.” It’s a 1966 Chevy G10 Shosrty Van, with a 350 engine and four-speed, “is a kick to drive!” He also owned and sold a Willys Jeep Pickup Truck — only 16,251 made between 1957 and 1965 — very rare! Both vehicles won first place in car shows. It is an expensive but fun hobby. He says, “At 80 years old, your history is more important than your future. History is forever.”

Cromwell and his wife, Connie, love to go four-wheeling and enjoy the retired life in Show Low. Their house sits up on a hill, with a deck overlooking a mountain view — with early morning sun and afternoon shade. Although they aren’t going to an office to work, you’ll find both of them busy working on their art — Ric carving wood spirits and Connie creating pine needle and gourd baskets.

You can find both creations at Pinetop Woodworks and Jessy Jane’s Handcrafts in Pinetop. Contact Ric at 

(602) 762-6307or email: Highcountryric@gmail.com