CBC interviews our Stone Carver, Ryan Watson.  For CBC's full story follow this link: CBC FULL STORY

Ryan Watson was born in 1976, was raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and is proud of his prairie roots. He's a natural born artist in a trade that dates back to the beginning of civilization and uses the most modern tools to promote one of the oldest trades. Watson received a Diploma in Heritage and Traditional Masonry as well as Heritage Restoration, both from Ontario. From there he formed a Masonry company specializing in hand carved stone and restoration. In 2010 his company received a Heritage Award in Saskatoon for the hand carved entryways and Masonry work on the King George Hotel restoration project and continues to run a ten man crew today.

Watson's gift in the art of hand carved stone has been proven time and time again. His carvings adorn buildings from west coast Canada to Chicago Illinois. With over 16 years of experience in the trade, Watson continues his dedication to the art by providing his commercial and residential clients with inspiration and an end-product unlike any other. He's keeping history alive in Saskatoon by playing a key creative role in designing timeless stone facades on homes and buildings both inside and out. His extensive knowledge and artistic talent in old world craftsmanship offers his clients a unique Masonry Design each and every time.

Watson and his business partner and wife Nicolene Watson take pride in offering their clients a superior customer experience, a fair price for quality workmanship while meeting deadlines.  It is their mandate to work for their clients how they would want a company to work for them.  

Our latest YouTube video shows our Stone Carver (and rock n' roller), Ryan Watson fabricating the centre piece of our latest hand carved Indiana limestone fireplace mantel. Once complete this hand carved Indiana limestone fireplace will be installed on the main floor of Greenbryre's latest show home. 

Pictured below is the beginning stages of that same piece above starting to take shape.  Watson went with an Art Deco vibe staying tuned in to the homes existing design (by Decora Homes). Check out our previous blog HERE for more on this hand carved fireplace and follow us on all social media locations!

Rocco Masons is thrilled to announce that we're working with Decora Homes on their next show home in the heart of Greenbryre Estates. This will be Decora's first show home that will feature a traditional hand-carved stone fireplace, and likely not their last. As always, our Stone Carver Ryan Watson came up with the fireplace design on paper first, while working closely with Decora's Owner's.  Watson felt that an Art Deco vibe would be well-suited to the feel of the homes existing design. (Click on each photo in the gallery above for a closer look).

A creative but short-lived movement, Art Deco not only influenced the architecture of most American cities but had an impact on fashion, art, and furniture, too. From 1925 to 1940, Americans embraced Art Deco as a refreshing change from the eclectic and revivalist sensibilities that preceded it. The style takes its name from the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs held in Paris in 1925 as a showcase for new inspiration. The style was essentially one of applied decoration. Buildings were richly embellished with hard-edged, low-relief designs: geometric shapes, including chevrons and ziggurats; and stylized floral and sunrise patterns. Shapes and decorations inspired by Native American artwork were among the archetypes of the Art Deco lexicon.

Stay tuned for progress on the fireplace surrounds centre Art Deco mantel piece, and be sure to follow us and Decora Homes for open house announcements.  

Soon these hand-carved cornerstones will be installed on the old Shop Easy on 7th Avenue in Saskatoon as pictured above.  We can't announce what will be residing in this mall, but we can tell you that the renovation is set to begin this Spring and the masonry on it is going to be unreal! For last years blog on this project click on HERE.

Our Stone Carver, Ryan Watson uses the traditional tools of the trade that date back to the the late 1800's. These tools include a variety of hand mallets, chisels and also a pneumatic hammer when he needs to rough out larger areas. The hammer operates off of compressed air producing 100 small stokes compared to ten strokes from the hand mallet in the same amount of time. 

If you'd like inside our carving studio to see how it's done we invite you to our YouTube page by following this link: ROCCOMASONS There you'll find a time lapse video of an angel being carved from beginning to end, and a special four-part series of Watson carving a limestone fireplace surround as shown here: LIMESTONE FIREPLACE AND MORE 

If you like our work please share it and support a trade that dates back to the beginning of civilization. Stay tuned for more cool carvings in 2017! #handcarvedstone #oldschool