St. Francis of Assissi said, "He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.”
Phil Brannan is a wood carving artist who has spent a lifetime pursuing a passion. It is a passion that has burned within him always, through his life's highs and lows. His passionate pursuit has taken him on a spiritual journey of revelation, wherein he has felt a closeness with the divine.
The journey has also taken him to the highest stage of his artistry: the world fish carving championships, at which he has been a three-time world champion.
Hear Phil Brannan talk with Buck and Wanda Carole about his art, including:
The podcast brings up several names from Southeast Texas, including Andy Coughlin, Richard "Dick" Spinney, Sunni Gonzales, Savannah Gonzales, Gerry Mouton, Bubba Busceme, Jerry LaCroix, G G Shinn...and more!
Other well-known and lesser known names discussed in the podcast include Moses and Bezaleel...check that out!
World champion artist Phil Brannan takes us into the mind, heart, and soul of his artistry--an artistry adjudged the best in the world! Accompany Buck and Wanda Carole as they enter Phil's inspiring world of imagination, dreams, and spiritual faith...
Right here, on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
Phil Brannan won "Best in World" in Natural Finish and Decorative Miniature at the World Fish Carving Championships in 2015. Hear Phil talk about his artistic journey that took him to the highest plateau, right here, on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
Hear Buck and Wanda Carole talk about inspiration, passion, and excellence from world champion artist Phil Brannan, right here on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
In March, 2024, Phil's work was displayed in an exhibition at the Beaumont Art Museum. Hear world champion wood carver Phil Brannan talk about the inspiration for his art on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
"It took several years of pondering the difficulty of carving such a complex creature. The detailed planning, engineering and design resulted in a Best in World title in the Decorative Miniature Division at the Breakthrough World Fish Carving Championships, Springfield MO. It was carved out of Tupelo Gum and painted with acrylic washes. The base is Feather Crotch Maple and Black Walnut."--Phil Brannan
"Catching a Smallmouth Bass will leave an indelible impression on your memory. They are extremely feisty for their size, and their beautiful bronze colors made this piece fun to recreate. The fish, rocks, leaf, and root habitat are all carved from Tupelo Gum. Painted with acrylic washes."--Phil Brannan
"Every kid’s first fish is usually the Bluegill Bream. It is colorful, always willing to bite, and is a strong, aggressive fighter. Its carved habitat consists of a cypress knee which comprises its natural surroundings in swamps and bayous indigenous to this area. Carved in Tupelo Gum and painted with acrylic washes."--Phil Brannan
"Chasing the elusive Lunker Largemouth Bass is an addiction that few fishermen overcome, and the only cure is to catch another one! It took over 20 years carving off and on to complete this piece. Base is comprised of a Manzanita root, with a granite and black walnut base. Carved from Basswood (of course) and painted with acrylic washes."--Phil Brannan
"The inspiration of this piece came from mainly the frog itself, trying to free itself from its aquatic nemesis. Made of Tupelo Gum, the natural root ball and lily pads complement the composition. Painted with acrylic washes."--Phil Brannan
"I was introduced to saltwater fishing and flounder gigging by my wife, Robin. This was the scene I became accustomed to seeing on the all-night excursions. I just had to carve this flatfish waiting for its next meal. Both fish and sand textured base are carved in Basswood and painted with acrylic washes. CCA Texas (Coastal Conservation Association) commissioned reproductions of this piece in 2019 for fundraising events."--Phil Brannan
"After catching this gorgeous fish on a recent trip to Alaska, it was something I had to add to my collection. It’s acrobatic jumps and strong runs are almost impossible to capture in wood. It is carved with Tupelo Gum, mounted on a natural root system, and painted with acrylic washes."--Phil Brannan
Commemorating a fisherman's Grand Slam from a day of fishing on the jetty--a redfish, a trout, and a flounder. Carved in Tupelo Gum wood and acrylic paint. Hear Phil talk about the Grand Slam of fishing on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
Hear world champion wood carver Phil Brannan talk about what goes in to producing a winning piece, right here on Down Trails of Victory podcast! (photo by Andy Coughlin/Beaumont Enterprise)
Hear Phil Brannan talk about "checking for eye snags" in his pieces, as he strives for excellence--right here on Down Trails of Victory podcast! (photo by Andy Coughlin/Beaumont Enterprise)
Hear world wood carving champion Phil Brannan talk about what's involved in creating art in 3-D, right here on Down Trails of Victory podcast! (photo by Andy Coughlin/Beaumont Enterprise)
The is a picture of the base of Phil's world champion Lion Fish and Moray Eel wood carving. Hear Phil's amazing story about this particular piece, and why it means so much to him, right here on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
Phil points to the carving that started his journey into 3-D. Hear the incredible story behind the wooden bass on his wall, right here on Down Trails of Victory podcast! (photo by Andy Coughlin/Beaumont Enterprise)
This stylized trout, carved in Hill Country Juniper, was named Best In World in the Natural Finish division in 2015. Hear Phil Brannan tell the inspirational story of how this world championship piece came to be, right here on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
"Unbelievable!" That is the main adjective to describe the cookies created by Sunni Gonzales, Phil's daughter, through her business "Sugardoodles" Hear Phil talk about his daughter's artistic accomplishments, right here on Down Trails of Victory podcast! (Check out her Facebook page here...it's unbelievable!)
In addition to her custom cookie business with Sugardoodles, Sunni Gonzales is also a renowned mural artist. This mural of hers greets shoppers as they enter the Walmart in Lumberton. Hear Phil talk with Buck and Wanda Carole about murals, right here on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
Phil's grand-daughter Savannah Gonzales won first place in the Elementary School Grades 3-5 Division at the 2024 South Texas State Fair. Savannah, a 3rd grader at Lumberton Intermediate School, competed against Southeast Texas artists from grades 3-5. Hear Phil proudly talk about his grand-daughter carrying on the family's artistic tradition, right here on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
The mission of the Down Trails of Victory podcast is to seek out stories of Southeast Texas through the podcast medium, featuring schools and their associated personalities, alumni, eras, and traditions, for the purpose of providing a historical record to contribute to the heritage of Southeast Texas.
Down Trails of Victory, published in 1994, is a classic whose prose will forever be fresh. Currently in its second printing, its first printing sold out in six weeks!
Included in Down Trails of Victory are:
The games, the rivalries, the great victories, the heartbreaking defeats, the heroes, the opponents--they're all here. Discover how it was from the players and coaches themselves. Open the book, and take a fascinating journey with them--Down Trails of Victory!
$ 29.95 Down Trails of Victory--Soft Back
$ 49.95 Down Trails of Victory--Hard Back
***Free Shipping--Shipped Book Rate***
"Contact Us" when you purchase and Buck will sign the book with a personal note
Buck is a 1973 graduate of Port Neches-Groves High School. He has written two books pertaining to SE Texas history: On the Wings of Eagles: The Story of Stephen F. Austin Football 1979 - 1988, and Down Trails of Victory: The Story of Port Neches-Groves High School Football. Buck retired after 40 years in Texas Public Schools, as an English teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, and superintendent. He enjoys spending time with his wife Wanda Carole (Wrinkle), playing the piano, traveling, and researching genealogy.
Judge Brad Burnett is a 1973 graduate of Port Neches-Groves High School, His career includes previous positions as a real estate broker, and as a plant manager at US Intec. Judge Burnett has devoted his life to serving Southeast Texas. He served three terms on the PN-G ISD school board, before his election as Justice of the Peace of Jefferson County Pct. 7, a position he has held since 2002. Judge Burnett is active in many community organizations, and is in constant demand as a speaker for civic, school, and church groups. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Teresa (Lee), and has three "awesome" grandkids. From the book Down Trails of Victory, "(Brad) was a constant encourager throughout the years as I worked on the book. He believed in me and my dream, and his support gave me confidence in myself. He attended many of the panel interviews with former players, and we had a continual dialogue over the years about the status of the book. ...Thank you, Brad," page ix. --Dr. Jon Buck Ford
Wanda Carole Wrinkle Ford was born in Mamou, Louisiana, and lived in Southeast Texas for 40 years. She graduated from Lamar University in Beaumont as a Registered Nurse in 1990. She is multi-talented with a diverse background and range of experiences. In addition to being a song writer and award-winning photographer, she also served as publisher and editor of the best selling book Down Trails of Victory, without whose help the book never would have been written. Wanda Carole specializes in wildlife photography, enjoys traveling, gardening, helping her friends and family, genealogy, playing the piano, and undertaking new challenges.
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