Harley Refsal

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Harley Refsal is an internationally recognised figure carver, specialising in Scandinavian flat-plane style of woodcarving. He was born and raised on a farm near Hoffman, Minnesota, USA, homesteaded by his Norwegian-immigrant grandparents. He has traveled to and lived in Scandinavia on a number of occasions. He teaches Scandinavian studies at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where he also holds the title Associate Professor of Scandinavian Folk Art.

He began working in wood as a young boy. His father, a carpenter and farmer, and a woodworker uncle who lived nearby kept him well supplied with wood, tools, and encouragement.

He was honored in 1996 by H. M. Harald V, King of Norway, with the St. Olaf Medal of Honor for his efforts in reinvigorating Scandinavian figure carving in both the United States and Norway.

Since the 1980s, Refsal, who speaks fluent Norwegian, has shared his knowledge of and skills in Scandinavian-style flat-plane carving with thousands of carvers through classes and presentations in the United States and Scandinavia.

Harley is an Emeritus Member of the Caricature Carvers of America.

[edit] Education

B.A., Augsburg College, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Eksamen Philosophicum, University of Oslo
M. Div., Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota
Cand. Mag., Telemark College, Rauland, Norway

[edit] Publications

Refsal, Harley (2004). Art & Technique of Scandinavian Style Woodcarving. Fox Chapel Publishing, East Petersburg, PA, 137. ISBN 1-56523-230-5.
Refsal, Harley (1992). Woodcarving in the Scandinavian Style. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., New York, New York, 128. ISBN 0-8069-8633-6.