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Exploring the spiritual potential of art
made of wood |
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Wood is an excellent medium for the artist. In its natural state it is pleasing to the eye and pleasing to touch. It is the goal of the woodworker to use the elements of style and craftsmanship to make a statement that enhances the natural potential and unique properties of each piece of wood. |
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I began turning when I was fourteen. I have been turning now for seven years and have recently begun giving turning demonstrations and lectures as well. Perhaps the most enthralling thing about wood sculpting and turning is the natural progression and evolution of my work. Looking back upon past work leaves me critical and sometimes even disgusted while looking forward to future work fills me with longing and excitement. As craft becomes second nature and my creative mind evolves, my work grows more meaningful, my time in the shop, more enjoyable. |
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Creating with such a wonderful warm material as wood gives me great pleasure. To see the connection between a magnificent living tree and the objects of art before you is what the creative process is about for me. I hope my work brings you the feeling of warmth and pleasure it was intended to when I created it. |
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I am a misplaced Kansan with woodworking being my roots as I came from three generations of woodworkers.In the mid 40"s I spent many hours playing in my grandfathers wood shop. One of my first projects was an interlocking jigsaw puzzle cut out of a scrap of plywood on the jigsaw. Granddad was quite impressed. In the early 60's I was a Navy wife whose spouse was stationed at NAS Atsugi, Japan. I took woodcarving lessons at the base Community Center. Genji Ishihara Instructor. I studied under him for nearly three years. After returning to the USA I continued my carving on panels of wood until I suddenly discovered the woodturning lathe and then my world opened up as I had found the perfect canvas for my carving inspirations. |
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My addiction to woodturning began at Christmastime in 2000. In prior years, I had made jewelry or jewelry boxes as presents for the female members of my family. That year, I decided to try making some turned ring boxes with siver finials for presents, and I have not stopped turning since. I owned a small wood lathe, however I had only used it for about four hours prior to that Christmas. I quickly evolved from simple turned lidded boxes to turned, textured, carved, painted and dyed objects. My most recent work incorporates woodturning, sculpture and various mediums. My work is intended to evoke thought about life issues, and poke a little fun at stereotypes and current issues in our society. |
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Art Liestman, a part-time woodturner, lives in Coquitlam, BC, Canada. Over the past 5 years, he has switched his woodworking focus from making experimental musical instruments to making turned wood objects. In addition to making functional items and small decorative pieces, he is pursuing more artistic work such as his series of puzzling illusion vessels. Art was instrumental in founding the Greater Vancouver Woodturners Guild and is currently the first President of that organization. He has demonstrated for several AAW chapters and has written articles for Experimental Musical Instruments, More Woodturning, and American Woodturner |
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Phil Brennion, a professional woodworker since 1976, resides in central Arizona. His work has been influenced greatly by the images and cultures of the Southwest and appears collections around the world. |
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My work can properly be described as contemporary classic. I take basic classical forms and work with them paying particular attention to the interaction of curves and embellish them with color and texture. It is important that my work reflect nicely flowing lines. . . sensuous curves if you will. My pieces appear nicely balanced and present an uplifted feeling as opposed to appearing anchored at the base. Anything that interrupts the eye from taking in the piece as a whole becomes a distraction. |