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Exploring the spiritual potential of art made of wood
 
Kestrelcreek Woodturning Online! - AIR Exhibition: Brenda Behrens

My Pleasure For Your Pleasure

by Brenda Behrens


Full Biography

The greatest gift to an artist in any medium is to have others enjoy the work. I, the artist spend many hours creating and executing each piece to satisfy my creative soul. This being done,now the piece goes to the next level and that is to give pleasure to the beholder.

Select thumbnail image below
to see a detailed image and the artists comments.
Ballet of the Leaves This piece follows the leaf theme, however it is the first of a new series that I have future plans to expand upon. The leaf pattern scrolls in clockwise pattern as the leaves fall to the toe. Carob works well with the carving as it has strong color and good variations in the grain pattern. Wrapped in Leaves III Wrapped in Leaves series primarily is focused on the philodendron plant that flourishes in my kitchen flower pots. The focus on the foot evolved from a small numb that I placed on the foot of earlier pieces to being the key note of the piece. Wrapped in Leaves III Detail View. Wrapped in Leaves III Detail view of the foot. Wrapped in Leaves V The Wrapped in Leaves series allows many variations in wood and the pattern placement as each piece is hand drawn directly onto the wood surface. Wrapped in Leaves VI The surface leaves are a little larger with more depth and animation to the foot. I found the figured maple to work just as well as the myrtle and carob that was used in the prior pieces in the series. Yes This is one of my earlier pieces and the photography also indicates that. It is the only photo I have of this piece and I want to share this work with you as it is significant to the following work in the series. The title seems strange, but in looking at the piece when it was completed the idea developed well and I could only say YES!, and so the title. Dr. Lipton liked the work and added it to his collection. The piece survived the earthquake in San Fernando Valley, California. Later, Irv donated the piece to the Los Angeles County Museum Art. Yes with Loop After completing 'Yes' , I always felt the piece could be improved upon by making a loop foot. This made me happy and it also appealed to Nordy Rockler. Housed in the Norton and Bert Rockler Collection. Yes with Loop II Dancing Leaves The early carved leaf forms have a more open vessel form and a much smaller foot. The piece needs to be lifted by hand to view the carved foot. Wood is a tactile material and a pleasure to stroke, thus the encouragement by mere curiosity to hold the vessel. Housed in the Mari and Irv Lipton Collection. Dancing Leaves III The 'Dancing Leaves Series' suddenly became pierced work and also the height increased. There are only three pieces in this series. Ribbon The foot was the fascination for me. I was experimenting with several forms with the foot being the focus of the piece as intended. Housed in the Bill Gallagher Collection. Nature's Rhythm This piece is entirely carved with leaves on the underside with the looped stems forming the support. See photo number 17 for more detail. Housed in the collection of Fleur and Charles Bresler. Nature's Rhythm Detail view of underside. Tender Tendrils II The leaf form is drawn onto the surface of the wood after the turning process. I have to plan and leave enough wood to carve in the looped foot. Housed in the Mari and Irv Lipton Collection. Tender Tendrils III Many viewers have said that the leaves are a separate piece of wood and then glued onto the large shallow open form. However there was not any gluing as the piece was completed from one piece. Housed in the Mari and Irv Lipton Collection. Lace and Swirls This piece was inspired by a Japanese fabric pattern. The lacy pattern was carried to the foot to give an open airy feel. Unchained I have been fascinated with the elongated egg form as it is a natural form and balanced. Of course just turning the form isn't enough. The pattern of ' Lace and Swirls ' was interesting done up in a open shallow form and I wanted to use the same pattern in an upright form. To me the design worked. Collared Vessal III The elongated egg form is one of my favorite forms. The collared vessel is one of many and the design is not always the same theme. House in the Mari and Irv Lipton Collection Petals and Ruffles I wanted to play with the ruffled foot, and the petals on the neck worked with the foot. Tripple Ripple II Again my elongated egg form, but this time the play was positive and negative space. You can see the curvature of the vessel at the base, however the straight line leg supports the vessel.

 

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