Peter Ortel

Peter Ortel, a retired NYC Firefighter has always had an appreciation for all art forms, but holds a special affection for cartooning and woodcarving.  Working in NYC, Pete could always find humor on the streets and in the firehouse and, when not fighting fires, he could be found sketching cartoons on the various situations he saw. Through reading books on caricature carving, he soon learned he could combine his fondness for cartooning with his love for wood. He took his first formal lesson in 1989 and was completely hooked. His imagination and humor are reflected in the scenarios he creates.

Excerpt taken from a book titled "Carving the Full Moon Saloon the Art of Caricature in Wood" 1995 by fox chapel publishing