Spencer Tinkham’s artwork is for the birds. He encourages viewers to look at all the birds around us. He said we take them for granted because we see them every day.
“Their beauty and physiology have inspired people for thousands of years,” Tinkham said. “The work I do is for the people, so they can slow down, appreciate and investigate nature.”
The oil paint on carved basswood represents a ring-necked pheasant. Lee Belote/freelance
Since childhood, Tinkham has been fascinated with their colors and freedom of flight. Birds migrated through his backyard, which was near a creek by the Elizabeth River. He started to observe and study them, and said birds were a means of vicariously traveling the world.
At 8 years old, Tinkham began carving and whittling sticks on the back porch with his grandfather. Shortly after, his grandfather died and Tinkham continued to carve to maintain a connection with him and their mutual love for the outdoors.
Advertisement
Tinkham, a wildlife sculptor, crafts his artworks from wood. His technique, macrosculptures, consists of hundreds of grooves. Each one is sketched on the wood in pencil, and it takes at least six different angled cuts with a box cutter to sculpt each individual groove. Once they’re carved, he hand sands each groove before sealing the artwork with marine varnish and painting it in oils.
“The heightened texture conceals or reveals colors,” Tinkham said. “It creates an exciting optical illusion as the viewer’s perspective shifts.”
Spencer Tinkham’s “I Exist as I Am” is oil paint on carved basswood, bear claw and doll eyes. Lee Belote/freelance
Tinkham’s work is exhibited internationally and is currently on display at Virginia MOCA in his show titled “Witness.” The exhibit runs through June 9. It showcases the minute beauty of birds by magnifying the details of their feathers into creative carvings.
Featured birds include native, non-native, extinct and threatened bird species. “I look for interesting patterns and textures in the feathers,” Tinkham said. “My sculptures are inspired by dime-sized areas on the actual birds.”
Spencer Tinkham’s wood carving is painted in oil on carved basswood. It represents the feathers of a European starling. Lee Belote/freelance
On May 11, Tinkham will offer a master art class at the Virginia MOCA. Students will get a personal walk-through of the exhibition and then a behind-the-scenes demonstration of the artist’s sculptural techniques. Participants will sculpt and paint their own wooden bird silhouette to take home. Tinkham’s workshop will give students a better understanding of wood grain, wood species, sculpting tools, safety and wildlife.
Lee Belote, jlbelote@verizon.net
___
Advertisement
If you go
What: Master class with Spencer Tinkham: Intro to sculpting with wood
When: May 11
Time: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, 2200 Parks Ave, Virginia Beach
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
This weekend’s college basketball slate kicks off with a blockbuster showdown between the No. 11 Virginia Cavaliers and the top-ranked Duke Blue Devils. They’ll be playing in Durham, where Duke has been undefeated for over a year. Virginia (25-3), however, has been on point all season and stands a chance at snapping the Blue Devils’ home court winning streak.
At a Glance: How to Watch Virginia vs. Duke Basketball Game
Stream: Sling
TV channel: ESPN
Date, time: Saturday, Feb. 28 at noon ET
The Cavaliers are coming off a big 90-61 win over NC State, and are looking to extend a nine-game winning streak. The Blue Devils are hot off a massive 100-56 victory against Notre Dame. Duke is seeking another shot at the title this year after falling to No. 1 Houston in last year’s Final Four.
If you don’t have a way to watch Saturday’s Virginia vs. Duke game, read on. Ahead is a quick guide on how to livestream Virginia vs. Duke with Sling, plus key details about the matchup.
How to Watch Virginia vs. Duke Basketball Game Online
Saturday’s Virginia vs. Duke matchup will air on ESPN. If you don’t have cable, you can watch the game online using any live TV streaming service that carries the channel. One of our favorites is Sling, which offers flexible packages and a great channel lineup.
Advertisement
ESPN is included in Sling’s Orange and Orange + Blue packages. The Orange plan carries 30+ channels, including CNN, TNT, HGTV, and ID, as well as ESPN. This plan is available as a monthly subscription, starting at $45.99 a month, but Sling also offers short-term passes that are ideal for catching individual games or tournaments. A one-day pass costs $4.99, a three-day pass costs $9.99, and a seven-day pass costs $14.99.
Trending Stories
If you want more channels, upgrade to the Orange + Blue package. This plan starts at $60.99 a month and carries 50+ channels, including local networks (in select markets), Fox News, NFL Network, and everything in the Orange package.
Virginia vs. Duke Game Date, Start Time
The next Virginia vs. Duke basketball game takes place on Saturday, Feb. 28. Tip-off is at noon ET.
We’re highlighting the many threads that make Virginia so special
As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States and Virginia, we’re embarking on a journey to celebrate the rich history of the place we call home. (WSLS 10)
Virginia is filled with so much history just waiting to be explored. As we mark the 250th anniversary of the United States and Virginia, we’re celebrating this milestone with a new series: Patchwork 250.
The series will highlight the many threads that make Virginia so special and celebrate every patch (whether that’s a remarkable person, an unforgettable location or a memorable event).
As this new initiative gets underway, we’d love to hear from you. Share your favorite pieces of history and be a part of Virginia’s ongoing story.
Advertisement
Using Pin It or the form below, let us know: what’s a unique piece of history from your community that you think more people should know about?
Click here for more details.
Copyright 2025 by WSLS 10 – All rights reserved.
About the Author
Jazmine Otey headshot
Jazmine Otey
Jazmine Otey joined the 10 News team in February 2021.
A fatal collision between a motorcycle and a pickup truck on Thursday evening has claimed a life and prompted a significant road closure in South Reno.
The Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) responded to reports of the crash at approximately 5:29 p.m. on February 26. The incident occurred on northbound South Virginia Street, just north of Damonte Ranch Parkway.
According to the Nevada State Police, the rider of the motorcycle, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. The driver of the pickup truck remained on-site, though no further details regarding other injuries or the cause of the crash have been released. Northbound South Virginia Street: Completely shut down from Damonte Ranch Parkway to Bishop Manogue Drive.
Southbound South Virginia Street: Open, but expect “rubbernecking” delays as drivers pass the emergency vehicles. Officials expect the northbound lanes to remain closed until at least 11:30 p.m. as the NHP Highway Patrol Division completes their investigation.
