Tofino Artist Sam Plumley

Miles Samuel Plumley has spent half his life being home-schooled in the rainforests of Tofino and the other half deep in the forests of Northern Ontario. He credits his father with teaching him the intricacies of wood art.
Sam was born in Bancroft Ont., on December 14, 1984. When he was 16-years-old he started turning wooded bowls and boxes with his father Keith. When he was 17 his father and Tofino artist Aaron Marshall took Miles to a clear-cut and each carved a Tiki.

"At this point I knew there was meaning in these pieces. My dad gave me a chainsaw and I started my first piece."

He describes his Tikis as ancient Gods of creativity. He spent about 50 hours on this first piece. A friend heard about it and offered to buy it; it was on display at the Lounge Collection where the Tofitian is now.

He now works mostly with Red and Yellow Cedar, and Yew that he salvages from clear-cuts. Artists like Wayne Adams, Aaron Marshall, and many of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth carvers have provided him with his inspiration.

In his young career he says he has produced "a few Tiki's, some in pairs, some solo; pedestals, end-tables, and building embellishments."

His other interests are playing music, making art, boats, and helping with the gardens at Clayoquot Island Preserve.

---

Visit Sam's Tikis at Enchanted in Tofino.