Jerry's work graces several top notch galleries across the country. He has been turning out exquisitely turned wood bowls for 25 years part time and full time for the last nine. Before doing art, he was a long time chef, traveling the globe for his work.
Working out of his Missouri studio, this self taught woodworker is surrounded by burls of wood of all kinds - sycamore, walnut, cherry, oak, maple and box elder. Even though elm is his favorite, most of his pieces are from oak since they make up 90 percent of the trees nearby.
First Jerry squares out the chunk of wood with a chain saw, rounds them off with a band saw and then onto the lathe with the piece. When he starts turning it on the lathe the shape just comes out for him. Jerry fill in the natural holes and crevices of a piece with crushed semiprecious stones - lapis, turquoise or malachite. Under his guidance the stones become one with the wood's natural pattern. This final work has become his trademark.
Customers, especially the men, are fascinated with Jerry's turned bowls and vases. The wood pieces beg to be touched and most people love to run their fingers on the smooth glossy surface.
No comments:
Post a Comment