Cotton man is carving out new capacity during the pandemic

Rick Olson loved the art of dentistry. Now retired, he is focused on the art of woodworking.

“The great thing about wood carving, is that you never make a mistake. It’s only lessons,” he shared from his workshop area in his home in Cotton.

He had done wood carvings before. But the pandemic gave him the space and time to really focus on it. In fact, many of his carvings carry emotions from this tough time in our history. He wanted to chronicle this time for his kids and grandkids.

“With the stay at home orders, I sat downstairs and carved away,” he remembered. “It’s been fun to see what I can make from a stick. Try to bring some life into it. I’ve enjoyed that very much.”

Olson figures he’s created about 300 pieces since 2020. And he’s given half of them away.

Although the word capacity often was associated with hospital beds for so long, now he associates the word with how to produce, absorb, and change for the better.

He’s hoping to inspire others to find their own passion projects that bring them joy.

“People have endless imaginations and creativity. If in any small way I can encourage you to pursue those passions, by trying mine, then I think it makes me a better person, too. And it’s been a good day,” he said.