About EricEric has been dry stone walling for 19 years, what started as a fun passion project became his full time calling. After building a couple of smaller walls, Eric realized he really enjoyed it and immersed himself into the craft. He truly takes pleasure in crafting something beautiful that will stand the test of time.
“I don’t know what I am going to build or what the design will be until I’ve had some time with the location to get a feel for it,” Eric says. “It’s also a conversation with the client to get a sense of their ideas, and then a design, a structure and even a type of energy emerges.” - Eric |
Eric's background |
Eric was born and raised on a dairy farm in Grand Valley. His parents immigrated to Canada from Holland in the 50's with dreams of building a life for their family. Eric is the youngest of 9 children, he is his mother's favourite though. He took over the family dairy farm after school and raised 6 kids of his own. While searching for some new creativity in his life, he started working with Whispering Pines Landscaping. It was here he built his first retaining dry stone wall and was bit by the bug! Since then, Eric has been creating walls and art features all over Ontario. He has also travelled to Vermont, Ireland and Scotland participating in dry stone festivals.
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What is a Dry Stone Wall? |
A dry stone wall is a structure made by carefully stacking stones without the use of mortar or cement. The stones are arranged in a way that they interlock and hold together through gravity, friction, and their natural shape. This type of wall allows water to pass through the gaps between the stones, preventing pressure build-up and erosion, while also providing durability and a natural, aesthetic appearance.
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Dry Stone History in Canada |
Dry stone walls in Canada were introduced by European settlers, particularly from the British Isles and France, who used the technique for retaining walls and property boundaries. The abundance of stone in regions like Newfoundland, the Maritimes, and Ontario made these walls a practical solution for clearing fields and creating terraces. Today, dry stone walls remain a part of Canada’s cultural and historical landscape, valued for their craftsmanship and sustainability.
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