Meet the Artist & Founder

Obadiah Bourne Buell is a self-taught artisan whose craft is deeply rooted in the timeless beauty of stone. Born and raised on his family’s quarry in Sullivan, Maine, he was homeschooled through the Waldorf method, fostering a creative spirit from an early age. His journey into the world of craftsmanship began uniquely—working alongside his family in pyrotechnics, creating fireworks that ignited his imagination. Inspired by the works of Alexander Calder and Andy Goldsworthy, Obadiah developed a passion for sculpting with stone, later honing his skills in dimensional stonework with his brother, Gibran.

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Travel has been a powerful influence in shaping Obadiah’s artistic vision. From studying bone and jade carving with the Māori in New Zealand to learning the delicate art of amber carving in Mexico, he has embraced the wisdom of diverse cultures. His time in Gambia introduced him to the rich traditions of tribal-ancestral woodcarving, while his travels to Ireland deepened his appreciation for ancient megalithic structures such as Newgrange. These global influences are reflected not only in his stonework but also in his creations using wood and other natural materials.

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Since 2003, Obadiah has been the proprietor of Stone Designs, Inc. and the Granite Garden Gallery, an enchanting outdoor sculpture garden at his home in Sullivan, Maine, open to the public. Through these spaces, he shares his passion for transforming raw stone into pieces that tell a story, blending nature’s rugged elegance with human craftsmanship.

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When he’s not carving stone, Obadiah finds joy in tending his vegetable garden or exploring the wilderness on his mountain bike, always drawing inspiration from the natural world that surrounds him.