Wood Carving Art By Randall D. Boni

Boni denies attributing his three dimensional skills, to his blindness that he endured for over 30 years of his young life. "My twin brother and I were born with a hereditary condition known as cataracts. We were legally blind, and could not see well enough to play ball, or fit in all that well with sport endeavors, although, we sure tried. All of us kids went to Catholic school until ninth grade, then we attended public school. Gym, art, and woodshop were my favorite classes." Boni continued to say he enjoyed drawing, spinning clay, carving soap, and using his hands to create dimensional form. Surgery on both eyes, allowed Randy to see for the first time when he was in his late 30s. "The very first thing I did, was run out to East Branch Dam to see the thick cable draped across it. People used to ask me (astonished), 'you mean you can't see that cable' I couldn't even see that a leaf had veins, or flowers had individual peddles. . I can see now, and I know how fortunate I really am," stated Boni.
"My whole family is creative, they carve, play music, paint, throw pottery, build kayaks, and my sister Becky has a way with horses. We all have built our lives around our creative passions. My brother Rick and his wife Liz have started their very own Appalachian Art Studio, located in Ridgway, where people can visit or take a classes if one should want a creative experience," Boni continued. The artist is happy within his creative lifestyle. Although very humble, quiet, and understated, he stated that he never prays for money, he just prays for work instead. Expressing how much he loves what he does, he hopes to work until old age. "I'm a fool about it, I've built my life on creative expression," replies Boni.