EVOLVING BODIES OF WORK:

INSPIRATION AND ITERATION

ABSTRACT: A body of work can be looked upon as the result of an artist’s creative interpretations of a particular theme over a period of time, and is a consequence of the following:

INSPIRATION—Visualizing an idea or concept.

CREATION--Using imagination and technical skills, the process of creating new work begins.

ITERATION—The iterative process involves making a series of pieces within the same theme; however, new ideas often emerge while working.

RESULTS—Presenting the work over time through exhibits /social media.

As a woodturner and wood artist, the numerous bodies of work I have created over the years have been inspired from many different sources, each body different but having a common aesthetic: that the work is personal, unique and expressive in a non-verbal manner.  Inspiration comes from life experiences, memories and the desire to “see” in a much broader context than merely visual imagery. As quoted by the notable Canadian photographer Freeman Patterson: “Seeing, in the finest and broadest sense, means using your senses, your intellect, and your emotions.” (Photography and the Art of Seeing, Van Nostrand Reinhold, Ltd, Toronto, 1979). Through the use of certain design elements used in specific ways, the work becomes identifiable as to the maker, and evidenced in my work, for example, of common themes: the sea, basketweave patterns, rhythmic patterns and intricate lattice patterns found in windows, transoms and grilles created by Chinese artisans on buildings and temples over thousands of years.

The following list of links is my invitation to visit the narratives of my expressive journey through the world of art in wood. It is possible that many pieces could have been allocated to more than one link, depending upon their narratives and/or use of specific design elements. For example, work with wave patterns within the “De La Mer” series could logically also be included within other series depicting Nature’s Patterns, Rhythmic Patterns, as well as Signature Work.

DE LA MER SERIES BASKETWEAVE SERIES LATTICE PATTERN SERIES LEAF FORM SERIES

INVITATIONAL SERIES NATURE’S PATTERNS RHYTHMIC PATTERNS EARLIER WORK

DISCOVERY SERIES ARCHITECTURE SERIES SIGNATURE WORK