HAND CARVED.

HYPER REAL.

IMPOSSIBLY WOOD.

Hyper-realistic wood carvings of iconic Hawaii clothing, street gear, culture and every-day life - crafted from Basswood with precision, patience and passion.

Shop the Collection

HAND CARVED

from solid basswood

HYPER REALISTIC

Looks real. Feels real.

HAND PAINTED

Layered. Detailed. Life-Like.

ONE OF ONE

No Molds. No Copies. No CNC. No Assembly.

“ I don’t just carve wood - I carve stories, memories and what inspires me.”

  • Bob Bruu

THE ART OF REAL

Every piece I create starts as a block of basswood and becomes something you’ll do a double-take at. From hats to sneakers to Aloha Shirts, my mission is simple: push the limits of what wood can be.

This isn’t just art. It’s dedication. It’s real.

Learn more about Bob

From Block to Illusion

Bob Bruu is a contemporary wood carver who turns basswood blocks into lifelike everyday objects—hats, sneakers, and more—blurring craft and illusion. Meticulous hand carving and layered paint create hyperreal sculptures that prompt questions of reality. Inspired by overlooked items, his work reframes them as artifacts of identity, culture, and memory. From his 100-year-old Barn Studio in McKinney, TX, Bruu advances the expressive potential of wood, giving quiet, extraordinary presence to the commonplace.

Selected Works

Hand Carved from Basswood

Beige T-shirt hanging on a black hanger against a white background, with a red logo on the upper left that reads 'Waterhole #3, Marbleton, Wyoming'.
Cream-colored T-shirt hanging on a wooden hanger with a metal hook, featuring a colorful graphic of Waterhole 3 in Marbleton, Wyoming, with cartoon animals and vehicles.

Commissions

Much of my work is based on personal and meaningful requests.

Whether it’s Grandpa’s Favorite Hat, your Favorite Teams, Corporate Gifts, or creations for Sneaker-heads, it all begins with a unique idea. Want a true one of a kind? Click below for more information.

A high-heeled shoe with a purple bow on the ankle strap and a red sole.
T-shirt with colorful graphic depicting the Waterhole bar in Marbleton, Wyoming, including cartoon animals and a vintage truck, on a wooden hanger against a white background.
Denver Broncos cap with signature and message reading, 'John Elway 2X Super Bowls!'
A high-top sneaker with black, white, and red detailing, featuring black laces and a patterned sole.
Join the Waitlist

View the Gallery

Aloha Shirt Trio
Red long-sleeve button-up shirt hanging on a wall against a plain white background.
Scarf
Pink Scarf
White T-shirt with a colorful graphic design featuring a surfboard, ocean, hibiscus flowers, and the words "Aloha" and "Surftime."
A white T-shirt with a colorful surf-themed graphic featuring a surfboard, palm trees, clouds, and the text "Surf Life" on a blue background.
Black and white checkerboard slip-on shoes with cream-colored interior.
Converse Black
A worn blue and white canvas sneaker with white laces on a white background.
A single athletic sneaker with a beige and black design, red accents, and a Nike swoosh logo on the toe box, positioned on a plain white background.
Purple high-heeled sandal with large bow on ankle strap and beige insole, isolated on white background.
Locals
Pair of pink flip-flops with gold straps and small decorative stones, on a white background.
A bucket hat with a floral pattern in shades of blue and beige.
Handbag & Purse
Wallet
Colorful baseball cap with blue and white panels and an embroidered patch that reads "Aloha" with rainbow stripes, on a plain white background.
A decorative sculpture of a chubby figure wearing a blue hoodie with a patch on the chest that says 'Maui' with a green leaf above it.
A baseball cap with a blue and beige color scheme and a decorative patch on the front featuring the word 'Lani' in orange and a small green leaf above it.
Wooden surfboard with a painted logo of a palm tree, ocean wave, and the word "Hawaii."
A rubber anatomical model of a human torso with a tattoo of a wave crashing over a setting sun and the word 'Pipeline' below.
A ceramic figurine of a dog with a cream-colored head and a tan body, wearing a black bandana with colorful stripes and the words "velzy land" written on it.
Blue foam rock climbing hold with a yellow center and the word 'hi' written on it in beige letters, mounted with four black screws.
Blue denim baseball cap with a patch of the Union Jack painted with white, red, and blue stripes, and an orange button on top.
A black space-themed skateboard deck featuring an illustration of an astronaut holding a skateboard, and the words 'SPACE CITY' with a star and city skyline graphic.
A black baseball cap with an orange logo of the San Francisco Giants on the front
A lime green baseball cap with a Dallas Stars logo on the front.
A vintage red and white baseball cap with a logo for SO-CAL Speed Shop featuring black and red text and a white outline of California.
A blue and gray baseball cap with a Denver Broncos logo on the front.
Two baseball caps, one orange with a white longhorn logo and the other maroon and cream with 'A&M' initials, on a white background.
A blue cap with an orange and white 'NY' logo and orange top button.
Wooden explorer's hat with decorations including a paracord, a feather, and a small toy bird on the brim.
Colorful wooden duck decoy with green head, black, red, white, blue, and yellow feathers, isolated on white background.
An old, weathered hardcover book resting on a white lace doily, accompanied by a few dried autumn leaves.
A crumpled white basketball jersey with black lettering and a black star at the bottom.
Wooden sculpture of a hand with three small birds on a wooden base.
Black punching bag with white Dallas Cowboys star logo and the words "All-Tune Learning Rusher" written on it.
A navy blue wood carved hat with Emmit Smiths All-Time Leading NFL Rushing Yardage of 18,355, on the underside of the brim painted in white. Along with the Certificate of Authenticity hologram sticker, proving its authenticity.
Green baseball cap with a Boston Celtics logo and an autograph.
A green baseball cap turned backwards with its interior visible.
A red baseball cap autographed by James Spence with certification card attached, displayed against a white background.
Autographed lime green baseball glove with a star logo and signature, resting on a black and green cap with a 'Star' logo, and attached authentication certification from James Spence Authentication (JSA).
Green hockey puck with the logo of the Stanley Cup Championship 1999.
Blue baseball cap with a gold T logo, signatures, and inscriptions in white marker.
A blue cap with the Golden State Warriors logo and the number 30, placed on a yellow cap with an autograph and signature.
A yellow slide with a blue, water-filled tub at the top.
A blue Los Angeles Dodgers baseball cap with a white LA logo and a signature on the brim.
Close-up of a blue surface with a sticker that contains a QR code, a holographic sticker, and a serial number.
Black and gray Oakland Raiders baseball cap with team logo on front, surrounded by white autograph signatures on the brim.
An orange baseball cap featuring the University of Texas Longhorns logo and a signature, with the name '97 Heisman
Blue baseball cap with a gold and blue Texas Longhorns logo, autographed in white ink.
Blue baseball cap with a gold 'T' logo, signed with multiple signatures and messages in white marker.
Orange plush toy with white longhorn skull design on its front and handwritten signatures in black marker on lower part.
Man wearing a black athletic outfit, black cap, and white sneakers, holding a baseball cap and a phone, standing indoors next to a white bench and a black art piece on the wall.
Man signing a Dallas Cowboys cap with a marker while holding a gray baseball cap.
A man in a black t-shirt and shorts using a hand-held device in a fitness or medical setting.
Man signing a green and gray baseball cap at a table with a 'CardShow.com' banner in the background.
A man sitting at a table with a Dallas Cowboys hat and a signed football in front of him, with a Dallas Card Show backdrop behind him.
A man wearing a baseball cap and glasses is signing a green and gray cap while sitting at a table during an autograph signing event. The background features a blue banner with the words "Autograph Signing" and "Leaf".
A man in a black baseball cap and a black vest is sitting at a table, signing a green and gray hat for a fan during an event at the Dallas Cowboys Autograph Pavilion.
A man with gray hair and a beard, wearing a blue Dallas Cowboys polo shirt, is sitting at a table signing a red baseball cap with a yellow marker. The background features a banner with the words 'Dallas Card Show' and 'Autograph Pavilion' along with
Person signing an item on a table at an event, with a blue cap placed on the table. The tablecloth and backdrop have logos and text related to the event or organization.
A person wearing a gray baseball cap and peach-colored shirt is seated at a table, signing a blue baseball cap during an event. The table has a Dallas Cowboys-themed cover, and there is a backdrop with logos and text related to Dallas Cowboys and a s
Three men standing inside a building, smiling, with two holding small football-shaped objects, one in Oklahoma Sooners and another in Green Bay Packers colors. They are casually dressed, with a sign on the wall behind them and a door with a window to
Two men are sitting in a radio studio with microphones, headphones, and a computer. One is wearing a blue t-shirt and khaki shorts, the other is wearing a white t-shirt. A box on the table has the signature "Bob Brune" and the words "Wood Carver." Th
A man in a red and white cap and red striped shirt signing a pig-shaped prize at an event, with people seated at tables in the background.
Man standing in a woodworking shop, wearing a cap and apron, with various tools and wood pieces on the shelves and workbench behind him. The shop has a rustic wooden interior with a string of lights on the ceiling.

All of my wood art is hand carved and hand painted, mainly using basswood and leather paints. My carvings can take anywhere from 20 to 200+ hours to complete.

My Workshop and Studio is a 100+ yr. old refurbished barn in the historic district of Downtown McKinney, TX.

Click HERE to see the latest on where I’ll be exhibiting my work next.

I know buying art is a very personal thing and I’m always humbled by those that choose to invest in my work. If you want to learn more and see what works are currently available Click Below.

Silhouette of a cat sitting on a bench with a tree and a sunset in the background.
SHOP HERE

Testimonials.

  • Gary U.

    “My son recently graduated from Purdue University. As a graduation gift idea we chose to have a Purdue hat carved out of wood.We received the hat which looked amazing. My son was in shock when he saw the carving as he had no idea and was an exact copy of the hat he wore through college. He was amazed how realistic the carving is the real hat.Thank you Bob!!!!”

  • Jake & Tiffany R.

    “Our experience with Bob was world class. We brought an idea to him and he turned it into an unbelievable, detailed work of art. The finished product is something we’ll truly cherish for the rest of our lives. Thank you Bob!”

Pink display of women's flip-flops with gold-colored straps and small decorative stones.

Have a Custom Request?

Let’s work together.