To cut stone sounds like a recipe of alchemy. But it takes power, not always the power of enormous piston-driven spikes and powder-lit explosives. Often, with the right hand-tools and visionary skill, rocks can be as easily molded as clay. Meet Ethan Currier.

When on Bainbridge Island, Ethan lives in Eagle Harbor aboard his 1940s’ refurbished navy boat, building unique rock sculptures by day. Located in a small modest workshop, which once ran as a single-pump gas station, Ethan brings in specific stones to match his concept of upcoming projects, visualizing their forms and structure prior. By design and with the use of few hand-tools, these ordinary stones take on new organic shapes.

Having spent the summer on the east coast working on boats and building commissioned pieces for personal gardens and cityscapes, Ethan continues to create, building a reputation and potential-future following like those of artists Andy Goldsworthy and Dale Chihuly. A controvertial sculpture on a city-owned island Blakely Rock brought him in contact with people who both love and disapprove of his work. Over four nights in the middle of winter in 2012, Ethan installed a 12-foot tall stone man in the common yoga posture Tree Pose. Visible from the east shores of Bainbridge Island, as well as along the Seattle-Bainbridge ferry route, the sculpture has become in need of further special attention. Upon his recent return, people have continually asked him about it. He responds with a calming smile, “It needs repairs.” Locals now are expressing their interest in helping in anyway possible in its resurrection.