Sharing the art of woodcarving with the community

Jerry Gin’s Wildlife Sculptures, Woodcarving Gallery

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July 31, 2026

Since joining the Santa Clara Valley Carvers in 2002, Jerry Gin has been a dedicated member whose artistic contributions go far beyond his individual pieces. Jerry served as club president for at least 6 years and also chaired several exhibitions throughout the 2000s, helping to shape and promote the work of woodcarvers across our community.

A collection of wooden wildlife carvings by Jerry Gin from the Santa Clara Valley Carvers club. The display features detailed animal busts and figures, including a wolf, lion, fox, raccoon, meerkat, koala, and a colorful bird (Western Tanager), alongside a human head sculpture.

The gallery below showcases a selection of Jerry’s diverse wildlife sculptures, from animal subjects rendered in stunning detail to abstract forms that capture the natural spirit of burl and hardwood. Explore his collection of pieces that have earned recognition at club shows, each demonstrating years of refined skill and creative vision.

Sometime in the 2000s, I decided to learn to sculpt wood with a mallet and large chisels. Each sculpture would take about 6 months to complete.

A few years into sculpting, I decided to learn carving and joined the Santa Clara Valley Carvers. Jack Thompson, Ron Richards, Joanne Carroll, and others helped me learn the basics.

Jerry Gin, a member of the Santa Clara Valley Carvers, stands smiling behind a display table at a woodcarving show in 2008. The table in front of him is filled with his intricate wood carvings, including a horse bust, a dragon head, and large abstract bowl-like shapes with branches, at the Santa Clara Valley Carvers show.

Grant Allison, who was then president, talked me into being president. I was president for at least 3 two-year terms, running the annual shows and holding many woodcarving classes with top carvers as teachers: Debbe Edwards was invited every year for about 10 years; Dave Stetson, Pete Leclair, Helli Mayr, etc.

Two turned wooden trivets by artist Jerry Gin featuring intricate stone and crystal inlays. The trivet on the left depicts a blue bird among red flowers, while the trivet on the right features a tree with pink blossoms. Both pieces are finished with a decorative rim made of crushed stone or crystal.

Turning with crystal inlays by Jerry Gin, 2010.

A circular wooden object, a decorative trivet, featuring an intricate stone inlay of a cherry blossom tree (Sakura). The twisting, gnarled trunk and branches are crafted from a dark, speckled grey stone that contrasts with the light, natural wood grain background. Clusters of pink and white speckled stones represent the blossoms blooming on the upper branches. The central design is surrounded by a wide band of matching dark stone, bordered by thin inlaid lines.

A close-up view of a wood carving by artist Jerry Gin depicting the head of a tiger as part of his collection of wildlife sculptures. The sculpture rests on a flat stone base with embedded black speckles. The animal features detailed painted fur textures, amber eyes, and a pink nose. To the left, partially out of frame, is a terracotta-colored object decorated with blue spiral designs.

Tiger head, 2011.

This image displays a detailed wood carving of a mountain lion head and neck, mounted on a round wooden base. The sculpture features intricate texture simulating fur with fine lines, along with distinct dark spots on the cheek and jawline. The cougar has upright ears, a pink nose, and is looking slightly downward to the right. In the background, slightly out of focus, are artist's tools including a canvas roll holding paintbrushes and pencil reference sketches of a mountain lion face taped to a surface, indicating an art studio setting.

Mountain Lion’s head, 2011.

A close-up view of a sculpture depicting a lion's head with rough, textured brown fur, small rounded ears, and amber eyes. The lion features a prominent white muzzle and a pinkish-purple nose, resting on a grey, stone-like base. This wood carving was created by Jerry Gin in 2011.

Lion’s head, 2011.

Abstract wooden sculpture by Jerry Gin featuring a dynamic, upward-curving form with polished reddish-brown and natural light wood tones, displayed next to blue and green award ribbons.

Soulmates – Carob wood, one of my favorite sculptures. 2 geese/abstract birds who are soulmates

Abstract wooden sculpture, 2011.

Swirling Form (2011), an abstract woodcarving by Jerry Gin, a member of Santa Clara Valley Carvers. The sculpture features smooth, curved hardwood with upward-reaching knotted branches and a central hollow containing fibrous material. A purple-and-white award ribbon sits at the base. The photograph captures both the original piece and its mirror reflection alongside another wooden carving visible to the left.

Desert Bloom – Walnut with Bloom

“Swirling Form” (2011) showcases organic abstraction carved from natural burl wood, with flowing curves meeting rugged branch-like protrusions. This award-winning piece exemplifies the artist’s skill in transforming raw timber into evocative three-dimensional form.

This image features "The Keeper," a wood-carved dragon sculpture by artist Jerry Gin, a member of Santa Clara Valley Carvers. The piece shows an intricately detailed dragon head with open jaws revealing pointed teeth, closed eyes, and textured horns. Beneath the dragon's neck is a sculpted claw cradling an egg-shaped geode stone. The photograph captures both the original carving and its mirror reflection, creating a symmetrical composition that displays two matching dragon forms side by side on rough-hewn wood slab bases.

Dragon with Crystal Egg, 2011.

“The Keeper” showcases masterful detail from the artist Jerry Gin. The sculpture presents a dragon with a fierce expression, its clawed forepaws protecting a crystalline geode treasure—a symbolic guardian of precious stones captured in warm-toned hardwood.

A close-up side view of a polished walnut wood carving of a horse's head and neck. The reddish-brown timber features prominent grain patterns and knots, with the mane carved in textured, backward-flowing strands. The sculpture rests on a wooden railing against a dark background. This piece is part of Jerry Gin's woodcarving gallery.

Horse head carved from walnut, 2011.

Horse from Walnut – 1^st attempt with sculpture using techniques learned from carving.

A wooden sculpture titled "Desert Bloom" by artist Jerry B. Gin, featuring two stylized flower blooms rising from twisting, helical stems mounted on a rough piece of bark.

Flower, 2013.

A realistic wood carving of a male Western Tanager by artist Jerry Gin, featuring a salmon-red head, bright yellow body, and black wings with yellow bars, perched on a rough piece of dark burl wood. The carving is part of Jerry's collection of wildlife sculptures.

A realistic wood carving of a male Western Tanager by artist Jerry Gin, 2008.

Four detailed wood carvings by artist Jerry Gin arranged on a green background: from left to right, a reddish-brown fox sitting on a rock, an upright otter standing on its hind legs, a small koala clinging to a piece of wood, and a white polar bear seated on an ice-like base.

Which one is your favorite? Please comment: Fox, otter, koala, or polar bear?

Visit & Support Local Woodcarvers

We encourage you to explore Jerry Gin’s work and the work of fellow members of the Santa Clara Valley Carvers. If you’d like to see more in person or attend an upcoming exhibition, check our club calendar for show dates and carving hours. Our community is proud to showcase artists like Jerry who continue to inspire through their craftsmanship and dedication to the woodcarving tradition.