Zarco began carving wood in 1986 when he received the Japan Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. He lived in Kyoto, Japan for one year and was the first non-Japanese apprentice of Master Noh Mask carver Joshun Fukakusa. Joshun shared the ancient secrets with Zarco on how to create the most sophiscated of all theatrical masks. The Noh Theater was the ritual theater of the Samurai class and demanded a high level of skill and discipline. Zarco then travelled to Bali, Alaska and Mexico to carve side by side with master carvers.
The artist is currently blending various styles learned from these experiences to create a hybrid style which reflects a world view of the mask art form. The wood masks are carved with japanese tools and balinese knifes. Zarco carves a variety of woods such as cypress, cedar, bass, cottonwood and mahogany. The artist strives to produce a highly refined mask carving in exotic woods for the most demanding of collectors and aficionados.
