Heart & Hand: Once Upon A Tree, Wood Turning with Trevor Ewert

Trees have many stories to tell and things to be made into!  Today we have another instalment in our series on wood carving.  Trevor Ewert explains the process of wood turning and how he helps trees tell their story. 

1. What is the significance of the name of your shop, "Once Upon a Tree"?

The name "Once Upon A Tree" captures the essence of what I try to do in my woodworking; to create a piece that carries on the story of the materials from which it was made.  Many of my bowls and vessels feature a "live" or natural edge with the bark of the tree intact.  This combined with a highly polished and refined surface tell the story of the transformation from tree to art work. 

2. How do you decide what piece of wood to use and how to begin your work?

I try to seek out the most interesting specimens to turn and these tend most often to be burls (tumorous growths on the trunk of the tree).  Inside of a burl the wood can have the most interesting colours and patterns and the grain will show curl and birdseye - quite unlike the rest of the tree on which it grew. 

3. How long does it take to create a piece from start to finish?

I tend to start turning when the wood is freshly cut and the moisture content is high.  Sometimes there is a spray of water coming off of the lathe while the wood is spinning!  After a rough shape is achieved, I air dry the bowl for six months or more until it is stable enough to finish.  There is a lot of chisel work at this point to refine the shape and then hours of ponderous sanding to perfect the surface.  The bowl is then oiled and buffed until a highly polished surface is achieved.  

4. What's next?  Any big plans in the works?

Craft sale season is now starting and I have quite a few that I am doing this year: the Central Art Walk in Kitchener, Artworks at Bingeman's, Cranberry Market in Guelph, Plaid Tidings in Toronto, and the Christkindl Market in Kitchener are a few that I will be exhibiting at.

Heart & Hand: What is Wood Engraving, Wesley Bates?

There are many different types of wood carving.  In the last blog post we learned all about chip carving with Peter Findlay.  Today we ask Wesley Bates, renowned wood engraver, to tell us all about his art form, its applications, and how he got his start as a wood engraver.

Wesley Bates hard at work.

1. How did you start with wood engraving? 
I was given my first set of engraving tools as a Christmas present in 1980 or so. Before that I had no idea what wood engraving was. I lived in Hamilton at the time and went to McMaster University Library and looked Wood Engraving up. I found a shelf of books related to the topic and through trial and error and comparison with examples in those books managed to get a feel for the medium. I was very interested in the British engravers, Joan Hassall, Gwen Raverat, and the German/American engraver Fritz Eichenberg in my early days.  

Engraving table: engraved block, engraving tools and proofs

2. What is involved in creating a wood engraving?  Can you explain your process for us a little bit?

Roots To Earth - "The Buildings" by Wesley Bates

Wood Engraving is a relief printing medium related to lino cut and wood cut. Wood Engraving is done on the end grain surface of the wood unlike wood cut which is done on the side grain. When a line is engraved a ribbon of wood is removed thereby lowering that line from the original surface of the end grain block.  After all the engraved lines are completed then ink is applied to the "relief" surface of the block (the part of the block not engraved) and then paper is press against the ink/engraved block and the result is a print. 

3. What has been your most exciting project to work on?

In 1997 I engraved eight images to accompany eight poems by the American writer Wendell Berry. I published the poems and engravings in a portfolio entitled ROOTS TO THE EARTH under my own imprint, West Meadow Press, with the generous help of Will Rueter of Aliquando Press. That project was my introduction to Wendell Berry himself and to Gray Zeitz at Larkspur Press in Monterey Kentucky. It has turned into a 15 year relationship during which time I have worked with Gray and Wendell on five books        and several broadsides. 

4. What's next?

At present I am working on a wordless graphic novel. It is a very large project and is already three years in the preparations.  In addition to that I have several commissioned engraving projects that I am working on. 


Visit Welsey's website and Facebook page for more info and pictures. Don't forget to say hello on Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Heart and Hand Festival at Joseph Schneider Haus! 

Heart & Hand: Chip Carving with Peter Findlay

Chip carving, or Kerbschnitt in German, is a style of wood carving that uses knives and chisels to remove small chips in a single piece, to create geometrical designs.

Chip carver, Peter Findlay, joins us on the Joseph Schneider Haus porch to demonstrate and explain his technique and art. 

Don't forget to say hello to Peter at the Heart & Hand Festival, Saturday, Sept. 24 at Joseph Schneider Haus, 466 Queen St. S., Kitchener

Heart & Hand: Book Binding with Marlene Pomeroy

Marlene Pomeroy is the Joseph Schneider Haus Folk Artist-in-Residence for 2011.  We ask here afew questions about book binding and its importance today.

You can judge this book by it's cover!

1. What inspired you to begin building books?

I took a binding class that ignited my passion for books. I was a calligrapher with many years of visual arts behind me. The "book" is a way to incorporate all the arts into a wonderful, enduring housing.  



Marlene's take on the "E" book 



2. Is the art of bookbinding still important or should we just use e-readers and read our books online?



The art of bookbinding is even more important now than ever. People need a place to slow down and depart from their work a day mode of technology. There is no replacement for the tactile feel of the paper and leather between your fingers. The books covers appeal to our eyes and invite us to escape into a different world.    

3.  What is next? Any big projects in the works?

There are many planned projects ahead. A collaborative work of limited editions is in the planning stages and commissions are always waiting to be finished.  I am also working on a new teaching space to be ready late fall.

Marlene's The Book from Flax to Finish workshop is running Sept. 24 & 25 so drop in, ask questions and get inspired. Call  519-742-7752 to register. Visit Marlene's blog Inspired discovery

Heart & Hand: In the Studio with Potter, Jan Bentley



Polar Bear



Potters have been shaping clay into decorative objects and vessels for thousands of years.  The earliest decorative figures, found in what is now the Czech Republic, date from c. 25, 000 BCE!



Santa



Potter, Jan Bentley, invites us into the Polar Pottery Studio and demonstrates how she creates her beautiful bird figures and decorative Santas out of clay.



Crow



Heart & Hand: This Flyer is Really a Box!

The Heart and Hand Festival Flyer is really a paper box! 
Pick up your flyer today at Joseph Schneider Haus, 466 Queen St. S, Kitchener. 
Watch the video and follow the instructions to make your own paper box.

Heart & Hand: In the Studio with Mosaic Artist Sophie Drouin

Mosaic art dates back to the 4^th century B.C.  Artists use small pieces of marble, glass and stone to create images on floors and walls. Today artists are able to make portable pieces of mosaic art allowing them to exhibit their work in galleries.

Join us as we visit with modern day mosaic artist Sophie Drouin in her Kitchener studio. She shows us how to break up marble and tells us why she loves being a mosaic artist.

Sophie Drouin Mosaic Artist

Visit Sophie's website www.sophiemosaics.com

Join Sophie at the Heart and Hand Festival Sept. 24, 2011 at Joseph Schneider Haus!

Heart & Hand: Beading and Beadwork with Marilyn Gardiner




Beads adorn ceremonial items.

.



Beading and beadwork is found in the traditions of many cultures around the world.  Beads are used to create jewellery and to adorn clothing and ceremonial items.



Beaded purses.

Marilyn Gardiner, former Joseph Schneider Haus artist in residence, creates original works and borrows from traditional beading and jewellery patterns.  

A display of Marilyn’s original works and beaded artifacts at the JSH gallery.



Art Deco inspired necklace.

Here is one of Marilyn's original necklace designs; it borrows from the designs of the Art Deco period.

 



Persian GSG pattern.












This copper necklace created in the Persian GSG pattern is also one of Marilyn’s creations, and one you can learn to do yourself.

Interested in creating your own jewellery? Want to learn more about Marilyn Gardiner Design?  Visit  www.marilyngardiner.com.  You can order kits, books or sign up for a class. 

Follow Marilyn on Twitter www.twitter.com/#!/gardinerdesign or visit her Facebook page www.facebook.com/gardinerdesign .

And don't forget to visit her at the Heart and Hand Festival Sept., 24 2011!

Heart and Hand: Hand Stamp Heart

The Heart and Hand logo you see at the top of this page was made using hands and paint. Try it at home!
1. Find a piece of paper. You could use a t-shirt or a big leaf if you like. You just need a flat surface to make your print on.
2. Put some paint on a paper plate. Use red like we did, or choose your favourite colour. Spread it around so it covers the bottom of the plate.
3. Make two fists and dip the side of your palms in the paint.
4. Bring your fists together so your thumbs are facing up and your fingers are touching.
5. Press your hands down on your paper, T-shirt, leaf, etc.
6. Lift your hands to reveal your own unique Heart and Hand print. Make more hearts and use it as wrapping paper, give it to a friend or hang it on the fridge as a one-of-a-kind piece of art.
Watch the video!

Heart & Hand: Roll up your sleeves!








Joseph Schneider Haus built c.1816



 Join us for this years Heart and Hand Festival at Joseph Schneider Haus.

This outdoor artisan market brings traditional arts to life, with artist demonstrations and sales. Admission to the grounds is free for the day.  

Cast your vote, along with our team of judges, for the ‘Best in Show’ artist display and demonstration.

Roll up your sleeves and join in the hands on activities. 



Our new Washouse!



Come enjoy storytelling by the Baden Storytellers Guild and visit the historic house.

Our new washhouse will be open to visitors for the first time!