Black Fly

Walt Ruess was a semi-professional/hobby woodcarver for years, producing a number of figurines, decoys, signs, relief carvings and more. During this time he entered a few shows, won a few ribbons and sold a few carvings, but never enough to convert into a business. In 1997, with the love and encouragement of his wife, his desire to become a full-time carver became a reality when he began carving for Carousel Magic in Mansfield, OH. Since then, his list of finished figurines has grown to include sea dragons, a standard poodle, cats, giraffes and lions.

Walt carved the heads, necks and most of the trappings on nine small horses and most of the sea dragons on a 12-figure carousel. As the main carver and production supervisor at Carousel Magic, he was also responsible for building and roughing bodies to what was called Stage 2 carving kits, sent to carvers all over the country to be finished by the purchaser. He was also the main instructor when these customers attended the Mansfield 5-day carving classes.

Walt chose the Black Fly to carve for the Adirondack Carousel, the first of the critters to be completed. He is happy to be a part of a community project and found the black fly quite fitting for the indigenous Adirondack animal theme.

Walt Reuss | (419) 756-2021 | EMAIL