Deo uses the different hardwoods grown locally in Uganda, primarily mahogany, Muvule Tree, ebony, and Mugavu Tree. Deo wanted to pursue a career woodcarving because he felt it would be the only job available to him where he would be able to express his creativity. He likes using local wood for his carvings that would normally be destined to become charcoal because he sees it as a better use of his country’s resources. He also likes that through his wood carvings he can provide local youth employment. He began his career as an apprentice to a group of Congolese Nationals and this allowed his to ultimately open his own wood carving shop. The traditional facemask carvings that African Art is most famous for trace their lineage to the Congo and so Deo was fortunate to benefit from this long cultural history in his wood carving style.