Who is Hans (Arnie) Hyma?

In the early 2000s an artist friend suggested I check out the “One of a Kind” show in Toronto, sensing I might have an interest in some of the content . For one reason or another, curiosity led me there… What truly caught my attention was a large, abstract wooden sculpture. In that moment, I had an epiphany: I could create something like that myself.

A few days later, I stood before three hefty tree trunks at a friend’s place. He offered me one to experiment with, and months of work later, my first wood carving was born—Imagine. The title perfectly captured my mindset: if I can imagine it, I can create it. From that point, I began experimenting with abstract wooden sculptures, eager to uncover the hidden magic within each tree.

Eventually, I shifted gears and began working with a wood lathe, creating functional art like bowls, goblets, and pepper mills. This path later evolved into crafting pens and other small trinkets—an art form that continues to captivate my attention and keep my hands busy. Along the way, I also explored relief carving and figurine carving, expanding my creative horizons.

Like any journey, mine has had its share of stumbles and messes, but it’s also resulted in pieces I’m proud of. I am my own toughest critic—not trying to impress anyone except my younger self. Now, with more time in my post-career life, I’m diving headfirst into new projects, perfecting my craft, and embracing whatever my imagination leads me to next.

I focus almost exclusively on working with wood, utilizing food-safe finishes where appropriate. If you are seeking products made with epoxy or acrylic, I encourage you to explore the work of the many talented artisans who excel in those mediums. Aside from a few acrylic pens I’ve experimented with, I find great satisfaction in the natural aroma of wood in my workshop and value the ability to recycle my waste sustainably.

As Kris Kristofferson once said, “Creativity is a gift from above, and those who ignore it are destined for unhappiness.” I aim to honour that belief by giving voice to my soul through my work, leaving a small legacy of my own.

Special thanks to Dalton Whitehead @daltondwmediadesign-ca for all your personal and professional help with this little project of mine.