When I started working with wood in the late 1980’s, I was looking for a creative outlet to help me unwind after working every day in a linear, highly controlled information systems environment. I got my first lathe in 1991 but before being “bitten” by the lathe-bug, I did some traditional woodcarving and also made decorative wooden boxes using carving as an embellishment. Over the years I have used relief carving, texturing , pyrography, gilding, painting, staining, and piercing to highlight and personalize my wood working projects.
My most recent influences are the works of Binh Pho, Frank Sudol and a host of current wood artists who use piercing and carving to embellish their work . My current artistic direction is to merge these negative space sculptural forms with indirect lighting and iridescent coloring . I use pyrography and piercing on thin wall wooden vessels and am exploring ink, gilding and texture to convey heartwarming, peaceful, uplifting vignettes.
As a young Boy Scout, I had many opportunities to hike in state and national parks near my home in Santa Rosa, California. I am still inspired by nature and enjoy hiking when ever weather permits in the Great Northwest where I currently live. Plants, trees, insects, birds, landscapes, seascapes – anything natural – are my current subjects.
My pierced luminary series vessels are intended to be viewed in low light with light coming from the inside. By placing an LED light source and transparent colored acrylic beads inside my vessels they can appear kaleidoscopic or look like stained glass.
Photos of my piercings posted on AAW forums have been featured in American Association of Woodturners (AAW) member mailings on six occasions and as Top Turnings of the Week a couple of times.
I have always enjoyed sharing what I know and have begun doing presentations for other woodturners. You can see my recent presentations here.
I am currently Director of Communications for the Seattle Woodturners Chapter of the American Association of Woodturners.
Email me at JoesWoodArt@gmail.com or text me at 612-281-2917.