Harley Refsal teaches Scandinavian Studies at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where he also holds the title Resident Fellow in Scandinavian Folk Art. He is an internationally recognized figure carver, specializing Scandinavian-style flat-plane carving. Refsal was born and raised on a farm near Hoffman, Minnesota, homesteaded by his Norwegian-immigrant grandparents. He began working in wood as a young boy. His father, a carpenter and farmer, and a woodworker uncle who lived nearby kept him well supplied with wood, tools and encouragement. Since the 1980s, Refsal, who speaks fluent Norwegian, has shared his knowledge of, and skills in, Scandinavian flat-plane carving with thousands of carvers through classes and presentations in the United States and Scandinavia. His name is so integrally linked with the revival of this carving style that it is rapidly becoming known as the Refsal style; Refsal is available to teach woodcarving seminars and judge exhibits and shows. His carvings are available for sale.

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  Wood Carving Illustrated - Issue 27 - Summer 2004
  
  
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  Carving Trolls & Other Scandinavian-Style Characters
  
  
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  Wood Carving Illustrated - Issue 28 - Fall
  
  
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  Wood Carving Illustrated - Issue 11 - Summer 2000
  
  
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  Art & Technique of Scandinavian-Style Woodcarving
  
  
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  Figure Carving Scandinavian Style - DVD