Bolinas artist Tom D'Onofrio said he has no plans yet to sculpt a phoenix rising from the ashes, but the giant butterfly on his studio wall could serve equally as a symbol of his rebirth.

Though he admits it was "a trial" by fire, the January 1992 blaze that destroyed D'Onofrio's woodworking studio and half of his home failed to damage his spirit. Now after nearly four years of rebuilding, both emotionally and physically, the talented D'Onofrio is sculpting again, this time with a pent-up reservoir of creativity.

"I'm juiced," D'Onofrio said last week with obvious enthusiasm.

D'Onofrio, whose sculptures have garnered him national attention for their intricate beauty, said this week that he is about 80 percent recovered from the fire that ruined a life's work of art, years of journals, countless photographs, and thousands of dollars in woodworking tools.

"I had all these ideas, and I just wanted to work," D'Onofrio said. At about 5 a.m. he fell asleep in his chair while embers from his woodstove were smoldering in pine needles atop his studio.

Around 7 a.m. a neighbor saw the smoke and warned D'Onofrio. By that time, the fire was spreading rapidly.

"It was one of the most emotional experiences I've ever had," D'Onofrio said. "It was even emotional for the firefighters. I've been in the Bolinas community for nearly 30 years and had given one of the firefighters his very first paycheck when he was about nine.

"While he was trying to put out the fire, this big strong guy got all choked up."

The carvings commissioned by a private investor had taken six years to complete and were valued at nearly $75,000. Unfortunately, D'Onofrio had borrowed them back.

"I saw them through the window, and magically they were untouched by the blaze around them," he said. "I just reacted like a parent to a child in danger and went in after them."

D'Onofrio said he scrambled on his stomach underneath the flames and, because the two sculptures were on wheels, he was able to salvage them, but not without some help.

"The firemen couldn't believe I was in the middle of the studio while the roof was about to crumble around me. But instead of [their] dragging me out, I asked them to help me save the bear and the bull, and they did."

Luckily, neither D'Onofrio nor the two prized sculptures were seriously injured. But would he risk his life for his art again?

"No," he said with a chuckle. "But it's hard to tell how you'll react in that situation. I know my head and heart would fight over my actions."

D'Onofrio is sculpting as vigorously these days as "a cat on the prowl." He said it was difficult at first, but lately he has "jump-started the flywheel" and creative ideas are flowing. "I like to put on some Santana and let the music just sort of guide me."

He currently has a show at Toby's Feed Barn and is working on a redwood-and-mahogany mermaid, as well as an eight-foot maple butterfly for a private investor.

"You've been to hospitals," he said. "They're usually sterile and cold. But I really believe strongly in the healing potential of creativity. When art is viewed by someone in crisis, it can really be an inspiration, a lift."

D'Onofrio himself has inspired so many artists with his sculpture and his spirit that he is the subject of an upcoming documentary by filmmaker Bruce Nicholson of George Lucas' Industrial Light and Magic.

In his film, aptly titled "Phoenix Rising," Nicholson will focus on the intricacies of D'Onfrio's craft and chronicle how he overcame the tragedy of the fire.

D'Onofrio credits his wife as well as the birth of the couple's first child, Ciarra, as the major sources of his strength for the past four years.

"I probably couldn't have done it if it weren't for those two," he said. "Having a child does wonders for your attitude." And apparently his work habits as well.

"My work schedule used to depend on the light of the sun. Now it centers around the baby," he joked.

"I think one-on-one apprenticeships are vital to the social well-being of this country," he said. "People learn how to fulfill themselves creatively and therefore begin to feel much better about themselves.

"I learned what I know about woodworking from my father and an uncle. They helped me build a cabin when I was just 13. [Teachers] just don't have the time or patience to teach that in school."

To help others learn through apprenticeships, D'Onofrio founded the Baulinas Crafts Guild in 1972. As it became more successful, he turned over operations to a governing body while he concentrated on sculpting.

While his studio was being rebuilt, D'Onofrio said he would sketch in a book all the ideas he wanted to eventually sculpt. Now he is ready to turn those paper drawings into dramatic walnut, mahogany, and redwood art.

"I have enough ideas to keep me busy for years," he said. "I really love what I do. I'm obsessed."