Traveliing west on the main road, Cheddie's Carving Studio is a landmark to art lovers visiting Anguilla for the first or thirty-first time. Cheddie Richardson is not yet 50 years old, and carves some of the most beautiful sculpture from objects we all walk past everyday without thinking twice - driftwood.

Cheddie started carving wood at the age of ten. He describes his first carvings as "messin' in wood", and gave the shapes he created to friends as gifts. As his talents developed, the carvings of walnut and mahogany merited special bases to be set on, and Cheddie decided on driftwood. After a while, the driftwood bases became as interesting to him as the sculpture, and the rest, as they say, is history!

Not giving out secrets for his special sources for driftwood hunting, Cheddie says the beaches of Anguilla and offshore cays are rich in his raw materials. A found piece of driftwood is studied for at least a couple of days before this artist touches it even once. Go for walk on a beach any day and study a piece of driftwood, then drive right over to Cheddie's and see the transformation. Astounding.

Cheddie's been in his west end studio for 19 years now. He's open Monday through Saturday 10 - 6, or by appointment. Telephone: 264-497-6027