Cecil C. Carstensen was born in Marquette, Kansas in 1906. In 1940, he moved to Kansas City with his wife Blanche and became a part of the art community. Carstensen primarily worked in wood carving, however, woodcut printmaking was another important medium. He taught wood sculpting at the Kansas City University and was President of MidAmerica Artists Association. He wrote "Craft and Creation of Wood Sculpting" in 1971.

The Kansas City Public Library has four of Carstensen’s wood sculptures in their art collection. This abstract sculpture calls to mind elements of nature. Upon first glance, it is reminiscent of the flames of a fire, but another glance suggests a tree. The beauty of abstract art is that possibilities abound.

Carstensen and Blanche’s woodcut prints were part of a Print Society of Great Kansas City Spotlight in 2013. The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art in St. Joseph, MO has two woodcuts by Carstensen entitled "Family Unit."