Walking Sticks by Raif Killips

Walking Sticks by Raif Killips Folk and fine art, decorative walking sticks. Heirloom pieces by artist Raif Killips

I’ve been carving puffin portraits to different stages ready for demonstration work with the The British Stickmakers Gui...
09/08/2026

I’ve been carving puffin portraits to different stages ready for demonstration work with the The British Stickmakers Guild at Chatsworth Country Fair. I’ve two more pieces to add to these three, then I’ll take one to a finish. Hopefully the set will give an intuitive visual account of my carving process and help with Q&A. At the fair I’ll be applying colour—wood stains in this case—to a finished carving. Anyway, I’ve nearly completed preparations now, and can return to commission work next week.

While on a short Lakes holiday recently, my family and I visited The Brilliance of Birds exhibition. When eventually—the...
03/08/2026

While on a short Lakes holiday recently, my family and I visited The Brilliance of Birds exhibition. When eventually—there’s lots to see—I came across my bird sticks, I found the bittern and wren turned to look at one another, similar to this black-tailed godwit and wren. Unless they’ve found a life of their own, I’m assuming someone had rearranged the sticks that way. It made me wonder if that was a spontaneous thing, a compulsion to relate the two birds, or if someone had seen this photo and was curious to see the wren and bittern similarly… Either way, it made me smile.

This red grouse is currently on exhibition near Penrith. Since I've received a number of inquiries as to what I used for...
09/07/2026

This red grouse is currently on exhibition near Penrith. Since I've received a number of inquiries as to what I used for colour - This is painted with spirit based wood stains. I use them whenever possible because they blend naturally; sink into the surface of the wood; they allow the timber subtly to show through; and are as light fast a 'paint' product as I've found. Wood stains work especially well with recommended wood finishes including the exterior matt acrylic varnish I use. There are other qualities unique to wood stains but you'll find that detail in an article I'll link 🔗 to in comments 🗯

I’ve been thinking about 'The Brilliance of Birds' exhibition a lot since my return from Penrith. Having met lovely peop...
07/07/2026

I’ve been thinking about 'The Brilliance of Birds' exhibition a lot since my return from Penrith. Having met lovely people and seen inspiring art, it’s no surprise really. After Thursday’s busy private view at which fellow exhibitors Jim Moir and David Cemmick spoke; on the Friday, I had the pleasure of meeting Rheged staff, Claire and Charlotte - the curatorial and exhibitions powerhouse. I was also lucky enough to be introduced to fellow artists Anna Lockwood (Anna lockwood art) and Steve Nayar (.nayar), whose work I'd been admiring on the Friday before we met, so it was great to get to chat with them before heading home. All in all my trip north in the 240 was a real pleasure 🦉🐦‍⬛🪶

(Ps. The photo of Charlotte and Claire is Steve Nayar's - Thanks Mr Nayar 🙏)

As this post appears, I'll be driving north up the A1 heading for Rheged, in my ol' blue brick, a Volvo 240 to any not f...
02/07/2026

As this post appears, I'll be driving north up the A1 heading for Rheged, in my ol' blue brick, a Volvo 240 to any not familiar with the monicker. The model of car is considered by enthusiasts at least, a modern classic; though mine might not be the finest example 🤗. While I'm driving solo in the morning traffic, I may ponder the question whether any of my work will ever attain classic, with a very small 'c', status? This puffin, another of my exhibits in Penrith, is carved from hard maple, and finished with the most durable materials available. Given it's built to last and proven popular; by the time my making days are over there should still be a few of them hanging out here and there, and just maybe they'll hold classic status, for their owners at least ☺️ Here's hoping 🤞

This is one of my carvings that will be on display at Rheged over the summer. A grey partridge stick carved from maple w...
28/06/2026

This is one of my carvings that will be on display at Rheged over the summer. A grey partridge stick carved from maple with a carved horn beak. The feather texture is relief carved then painted with artist's acrylics and finished with exterior matt acrylic varnish.

The Brilliance of Birds, an exhibition at Rheged Art Gallery, opens this Friday, July 3rd. It's a group show, with works...
27/06/2026

The Brilliance of Birds, an exhibition at Rheged Art Gallery, opens this Friday, July 3rd. It's a group show, with works diverse in style and medium. For my part I have five sticks on display; a grey-partridge, red-grouse, bittern, puffin and wren. And for the first time I have one of my feather carvings on show in a beautiful hand made frame. See comments for website links and details.

I don't know how many of these I've completed in six years since I carved my first. I find the bittern a captivating sub...
21/05/2026

I don't know how many of these I've completed in six years since I carved my first. I find the bittern a captivating subject and still enjoy carving each one whenever I receive a commission. Reflecting the way I work, and natural variation in the subject, each one is a little different. It's going to be a while 'til I carve my next, but this bittern stick will be available during an exhibition at Rheged Gallery, Penrith, UK, 3rd July - 4th October.

I shared a photo of my first fox stick (the one here on the right) four years ago having made it six years earlier - I w...
05/05/2026

I shared a photo of my first fox stick (the one here on the right) four years ago having made it six years earlier - I wasn't sure there would be any interest. The carving was a personal piece of work, made for family. You may remember the roots of its design reside in folk tales and song, in this case from 1500s England. If you've a mind to, you can sing along to the modern version of the tale. These words were rattling around my head ten years ago and still lurk on occasion 🎶 “The fox went out on a winter’s night, Prayed for the moon to give him light, He had many a mile to go that night, Before he reached the town-o”… (And if you're strumming along on guitar, these are all you'll need D, A7 and G 🎶 )

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