Portfolio of Works

Shown in this collection are a few examples of John's diverse creations, which include jewelry crafted from silver, gold, turquoise, ivory and antler. The fine detail so characteristic of his work may be seen in these examples. Many of John's pieces are made on a custom-order basis. Often a customer has an idea or image in mind, which John will then craft into a finely wrought piece of art. If you are interested in a distinctive or personalized work of art, please contact John to discuss your ideas.

A naturally made wood fiber paper forms the base for these unusual acrylic paintings. The paper is taken from nests built by several different types of social wasps of the Vespidae species, such as the yellowjacket, the paper wasp and the ball-faced hornet (which is actually not a hornet, but a wasp). A new wasp colony nest is begun each spring by a queen wasp and is enlarged throughout the summer by other members of the colony. In the fall, as the weather cools, the nests are abandoned when young queen wasps go into hibernation and the other wasps leave the nest or die. This is the time to go looking for wasp nest paper, when the wasps have gone or have died and before hungry birds start to dismantle the nests. John is often able to find remnants of the nests in trees or on buildings near his home. The paper is completely natural, with a bit of artist's spray adhesive the only material added before a painting is begun.

Shown in this collection are a few examples of John's scrimshaw placed on ivory, horn, antler and synthetic materials. The fine detail so characteristic of his work is most evident in his scrimshaw. Many of John's pieces are made on a custom-order basis. Scrimshaw wildlife portraits are a favorite subject that he adds as embellishments on a variety of knife brands. Often a customer has an idea or image in mind, which John will then craft into a personalized treasure. If you are interested in a distinctive or personalized work of art, please contact John to discuss your ideas.

John's carvings and sculptures demonstrate his ability to work in a variety of mediums and sizes, from the fine detail shown in his bighorn sheep horn and antler carvings, to larger than life-size monument bronze sculpture. A man once brought John a marvelously weathered horn from a bighorn sheep, telling him "I know there's a big ol' grizzly bear in there, but I don't know how to get him out". "Big 'Ol Grizzly" (above) is the result. If you are interested in a distinctive or personalized work of art, please contact John to discuss your ideas.

This story relates the adventures of Susie, her brother Billy, and their father, during a camping trip in the Wyoming mountains. They meet new friends, enjoy seeing wildlife, find themselves trapped in a dangerous situation, and are rescued in an unexpected encounter.

Written and illustrated by John P. Finley. Published 2025. Hard cover, 32 pages, 7" x 10". Includes 6 watercolor illustrations, 7 pencil sketches and 1 color photo.