Todd Wellman has carved out a niche for himself - literally and figuratively - by creating works of art using drywall mud.
Todd Wellman, a commercial drywaller for 10 years, recently began adding a creative touch to his work. He specializes in creating intricate, 3D affects out of drywall mud, and has done everything from business logos to ceiling-height aspen trees. His work can be seen in businesses and homes in Delta and Montrose counties. He’s standing here in front of a wooden-looking beam he carved from drywall.
He's been a professional drywaller on and off for the last 10 years or so, but for the past four years he's been building a portfolio of art done for clients who want more than regular old spackle, paste and paint.
He owns Rock Well Drywall, Paint and Finishes. Several years ago, he was doing a repair in a home when he had the idea of carving a design into the excess drywall mud. "I started playing around, and one thing led to another," he said. "It was kind of an evolution."
He's always been interested in carving. At his previous profession - he is also a graphic designer, and, with his mother as co-partner, owned Westline Graphics - he designed and carved signs for area businesses. It was a natural step that when he moved to drywalling, and then to drywall art, he'd take up carving, too.
A true artist, not just a fancy drywaller, Todd first sketches the design or scene on paper, then on the wall. All his carving is done by hand. He applies a thick layer of drywall mud and then carves it back, creating a textured, 3D effect.
He's done lots of wildlife and nature scenes. At Alpine Fencing, he carved a mountain scene with an elk. One home has a wall done in brush and animal tracks for a camouflaged look. He's carved a bull on a living room wall and lots of leaf and vine work. He is currently working on carving a herd of stampeding horses into a wall in another home.
Todd also carved the logo for the Gold Leaf Distillery at their store in Cedaredge. This photo illustrates the depth and texture of the logo. With help from his mother and business partner, Gold Leaf also has several murals in the shop, done in an old mining town theme.
Todd has also carved lots of business logos into the walls of Delta County businesses. Alpine Fencing, Brookstone Promotional and Gold Leaf Distillery all have his work on their walls. For Hellman Chevrolet, he carved the Chevy bowtie logo into the business's service area.
He's also a genius at creating wooden beams and posts, rocks and brick using drywall. He's done several wooden beams and posts in both businesses and homes, and people never believe what they're feeling and seeing is drywall mud. The posts have knots and a grainy texture, just like a real wooden post.
In addition to Todd's drywall art, clients can take advantage of his mother's artistic ability as well. Kathy Wellman paints murals alongside her son. They teamed up to do both drywall carving and several murals at Gold Leaf Distillery, and also teamed up at Brookstone Promotional.
Todd carved this scene on a wall in a home. The pine tree stretches nearly nine feet tall.
Most projects take him no more than a week to do, and all his work has been done thanks to happy clients and word-of-mouth. He is the only drywall artist in the area. He's gotten busier and busier for requests of his creative touch. He plans on moving more towards the creative end of drywalling.
Todd is in the process of launching a website that will have more photos of his work. Visit www.rockwellfinishes.com, or give him a call at 970-424-2442 to see what he can do for you. If you can visualize it, chances
Todd worked on this home in Delta. On the far wall, he carved a bull, which took him nearly 20 hours to complete. These beams are also done in drywall. Visitors to the home will walk up to the beams, knock on them as if they’re wood, and insist they can’t be made of drywall, Todd said. He also carved the homeowner’s brand into the top of the beam.
