Here at Heath Refinishing, we have a passion for what we do – and we love to see other fellow woodworkers doing the same. After a lifetime of wood sculpting, Otto Preske has carved out a niche in the Gatlinburg arts community and beyond. He got hooked on wood working years ago when he was a boy scout. Now, a wood sculptor who is now past retirement age with no plans to retire.
Over the years Otto Preske learned the key to success. “Have a lot of patience and have a desire to do it,” he said. That desire keeps him going and the 71 year old has no plans to quit. And, he keeps his humor very much intact. He remembers one particular conversation with a customer at his shop.
“He said what do you do with your mistakes? I pointed to my wood burning stove. He said, boy I wish I could do that to mine. I said what to you do and he said I’m an orthopedic surgeon,” he said, laughing.
“A lot of people retire and take up wood carving as a hobby. I tell them what am I going to do when I retire? Sell insurance? Ha! I’ll just keep carving,” he said.