Leland Brewsaugh (1935–2003) was an American painter and wood carver. He was most known for his highly detailed wood carvings and paintings of birds and landscapes of the American southeast. Elizabeth Brewsaugh (1939- ) is a Canadian - American potter known for her bird pots and hand formed flower pots.
Brewsaugh’s family moved from Indiana to McIntosh Florida in the mid 50s. As a young man he was fascinated by the beauty of the Florida swamps and wildlife spending hours sketching and studying the birds and their habitats. After graduating from Reddick High School he studied architecture at the University of Florida. But Leland wanted something more than what he was finding as a student in Gainesville. He landed at Ringling School of Art in Sarasota and obtained the foundation for what would be a career in art.
Elizabeth Brewaugh (nee Black-Earl) was born in Montreal Canada. Her Grandfather, Paul Barnard Earle (1872-1955) was an acclaimed Canadian artist. Her mother, a writer and a violinist provided an encouraging artistic environment for Elizabeth. She matriculated from Ecoles Des Beaux- Arts de Montreal and went to the University of New Mexico to study art. She and Leland met while Liz was on break visiting a friend in McIntosh. After Liz and Leland were married he took a job as a freelance illustrator at the Richmond Times Dispatch. He soon found a job as a military contractor building models for future equipment. Here he learned to to create detailed blueprints, a critical skill for the bird carvings he would build.
Missing Florida, Leland and Liz moved to Jacksonville where he worked for the Florida Times Union as an illustrator. He struck out on his own and freelanced for various Jacksonville home builders designing and writing their ads and brochures. In the 70s Leland and his brother in law started Lee Homes Inc. Brewsaugh designed and built uniquely styled homes and businesses throughout Florida and Georgia.
In his spare time Leland built model ships, guns and cannon from plans he designed. He was constantly drawing and painting the scenes around him developing his skills as a keen observer and artist. Eventually he completed his first bird carving Early pieces were carved from a solid piece of basswood and mounted on an old snag or limb he found. They were purchased as soon as he finished. His birds quickly transformed into more detailed and elaborate pieces.
Each carving is an original design. Brewsaugh started with a sketches and photographs he made while exploring. Next he acquired the taxidermied skin of a bird from the University of Florida to construct a feather by feather blueprint of each bird he would carve. He’d cut a rough outline of a bird form basswppd 2x4s on a band saw then glue the boards together to form the shape of the bird. Using grinders and chisels he would begin sculpting the bird.
Every feather was carved individually with an exacto knife. The head and feet were individually carved and a wood burning tool was used to add the fine line details of each feather. Each piece had a base made from basswood and acrylic resins to form snags, limbs, lily pads, cattails and even some aquatic creatures such as fish or frogs. The entire piece was painted with acrylics paying careful attention the light and shade. Brewsaugh’s pieces were so detailed that many thought they were real birds.
Encouraged by Liz who was beginning her career as a potter, he decided to pursue his art work full time. Starting with a kick wheel in a hot Florida garage she created one of a kind “Bird Pots.” casseroles, bowls and vases with her uniquely hand formed bird adorning the pieces.
By the mid 80s Leland had over 80 prints circulating on the international market. The Brewsaughs were able to leave the art show circuit and sell exclusively through a handful of select shops. Carvings were often sold out up to a year in advance. Like Leland, Liz’s pottery sold out for months in advance. Orders came in faster for the couple than they could fill them. Their art sold to private collectors, businesses and major corporations around the world. A life size eagle was gifted to the White House and is now the property of the Smithsonian Museum. Liz’s pottery and Leland’s paintings and prints could be seen in national commercials, movies and magazines.
Leland and Liz sold their work from Florida to North Carolina where they had a second home. Inspired by the rural landscape Leland painted a series titled "Working Men." These paintings were a departure from his intricate birds. The strokes were loose and flowing capturing the men who worked with their hands. He captured the rural working areas of Florida and North Carolina’s barns and buildings. Some still in use others in various states of decay. Elizabeth’s pottery evolved into hand coiled pots with large dramatic flowers glazed in with rich color and earth tones. These large pieces were truly one of a kind.
Brewsaugh’s family moved from Indiana to McIntosh Florida in the mid 50s. As a young man he was fascinated by the beauty of the Florida swamps and wildlife spending hours sketching and studying the birds and their habitats. After graduating from Reddick High School he studied architecture at the University of Florida. But Leland wanted something more than what he was finding as a student in Gainesville. He landed at Ringling School of Art in Sarasota and obtained the foundation for what would be a career in art.
Elizabeth Brewaugh (nee Black-Earl) was born in Montreal Canada. Her Grandfather, Paul Barnard Earle (1872-1955) was an acclaimed Canadian artist. Her mother, a writer and a violinist provided an encouraging artistic environment for Elizabeth. She matriculated from Ecoles Des Beaux- Arts de Montreal and went to the University of New Mexico to study art. She and Leland met while Liz was on break visiting a friend in McIntosh. After Liz and Leland were married he took a job as a freelance illustrator at the Richmond Times Dispatch. He soon found a job as a military contractor building models for future equipment. Here he learned to to create detailed blueprints, a critical skill for the bird carvings he would build.
Missing Florida, Leland and Liz moved to Jacksonville where he worked for the Florida Times Union as an illustrator. He struck out on his own and freelanced for various Jacksonville home builders designing and writing their ads and brochures. In the 70s Leland and his brother in law started Lee Homes Inc. Brewsaugh designed and built uniquely styled homes and businesses throughout Florida and Georgia.
In his spare time Leland built model ships, guns and cannon from plans he designed. He was constantly drawing and painting the scenes around him developing his skills as a keen observer and artist. Eventually he completed his first bird carving Early pieces were carved from a solid piece of basswood and mounted on an old snag or limb he found. They were purchased as soon as he finished. His birds quickly transformed into more detailed and elaborate pieces.
Each carving is an original design. Brewsaugh started with a sketches and photographs he made while exploring. Next he acquired the taxidermied skin of a bird from the University of Florida to construct a feather by feather blueprint of each bird he would carve. He’d cut a rough outline of a bird form basswppd 2x4s on a band saw then glue the boards together to form the shape of the bird. Using grinders and chisels he would begin sculpting the bird.
Every feather was carved individually with an exacto knife. The head and feet were individually carved and a wood burning tool was used to add the fine line details of each feather. Each piece had a base made from basswood and acrylic resins to form snags, limbs, lily pads, cattails and even some aquatic creatures such as fish or frogs. The entire piece was painted with acrylics paying careful attention the light and shade. Brewsaugh’s pieces were so detailed that many thought they were real birds.
Encouraged by Liz who was beginning her career as a potter, he decided to pursue his art work full time. Starting with a kick wheel in a hot Florida garage she created one of a kind “Bird Pots.” casseroles, bowls and vases with her uniquely hand formed bird adorning the pieces.
By the mid 80s Leland had over 80 prints circulating on the international market. The Brewsaughs were able to leave the art show circuit and sell exclusively through a handful of select shops. Carvings were often sold out up to a year in advance. Like Leland, Liz’s pottery sold out for months in advance. Orders came in faster for the couple than they could fill them. Their art sold to private collectors, businesses and major corporations around the world. A life size eagle was gifted to the White House and is now the property of the Smithsonian Museum. Liz’s pottery and Leland’s paintings and prints could be seen in national commercials, movies and magazines.
Leland and Liz sold their work from Florida to North Carolina where they had a second home. Inspired by the rural landscape Leland painted a series titled "Working Men." These paintings were a departure from his intricate birds. The strokes were loose and flowing capturing the men who worked with their hands. He captured the rural working areas of Florida and North Carolina’s barns and buildings. Some still in use others in various states of decay. Elizabeth’s pottery evolved into hand coiled pots with large dramatic flowers glazed in with rich color and earth tones. These large pieces were truly one of a kind.
