Hector Velez is a wood carver from Añasco, Puerto Rico. He received his license in 2003 in  Puerto Rico for the carving of "Santos de Palo" or Wood Saints. He recently moved to Sierra Vista, Arizona, where his son resides. Here he continues with this ancient tradition, carving traditional images out of fragrant cedar wood, beautiful mahogany and delicate polar wood. All his wood carving is made by hand.

The Santos de Palo tradition started in Puerto Rico a long time ago with the Kings of Spain. The Spanish Crown's primary concern was to Christianize the people who lived in the new colonized territories. They first built the town and the city hall, and then the church. The “santeros” started to carve their saints in order to pray to them. Soon, the art became a tradition. Today woodcarving has become more than a tradition, is has become a symbol for Puerto Rican pride.