WoodbyDoug and Sandlapper Photography: 4/11/10

Friday, April 16, 2010

Honey bees and etc.

I hadn't realized it been so long since I lasted wrote anything in my blog. We have now gone from it being a frigging cold winter to a nice beautiful Spring.

I started a new hobby and like always I get into something that is expensive. I am now a Bee Keeper. About three weeks ago I went to Pickens SC and pickup two 3 pounds packages of Bees. That is about 20,000 bees which is enough to start two Bee Hives.

If wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all. One of the Hives of bees flew the coup so to speak and just disappeared. I have no idea where they went. However the one remaining Bee Hive is doing very well so far. I ordered a replacement of another 10,000 bees and will get next month which is the soonest I can get them.

I sure hope these new bees don't disappear on me as that can get quite expensive. I love honey and I am looking forward to eating honey made right in my back yard.

To change the subject I have not been able to get much wood turning done this year. I getting pretty discourage at not being able to sell any of my work in my hometown. I am for the first time since I started turning about 14 years ago considering quitting wood turning and sell all my equipment. I had expected or hope that is that I would be teaching wood turning in my home town like I used to do where I live before moving to Lancaster. So far nothing has come of this.I guess I will wait another couple of months to see if that possibility ever gets anywhere before deciding to quit but I even if I do teach wood turning I still may quit and sale most of my equipment and put the money in something else like Bees.

I have a lot of things that I love to do and it just a matter of pursuing the ones that produces the most pleasure and fun. If this Bee keeping is successful I may get a lot more hives and sell honey instead of wood turnings. Admittedly I haven't been able to promote my wood turning at any shows since I haven't been able to sell my other home and my wife is still living there until it does sale. It looks like that is going to be forever.

Bee keeping does have it draw backs as Bees are so susceptible to diseases and mites that can kill all the Bees if I don't stay on top of there health. Being new at this I have a lot to learn. However I am getting kick out of watching them at work. They really work hard.

Artist Statement

Artist: Douglas M. Smith

Medium: Wood/ Stone

Email Address: woodbydoug@msn.com

Studio’s Name: Wood By Doug

Trademark: Wonderful Out of Ordinary Designs by Doug

Birthdate: 4/2/1942

Please describe your craft:

The wooden bowls and vases I create are made from exotic woods selected from the four corners of the world. I also use domestic woods that highlight one of a kind grain patterns and alabaster stones that are native to Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. The uniqueness of color, grain pattern and textures inspire me to turn by lathe truly one of a kind pieces. I obtain wood and stone in its raw form, study the grain patterns and color variances and turn on a lathe the raw wood or stone into a unique bowls or vases.

How did you get started in your craft?

Sometime ago my wife gave me a router for Christmas. I had no other wood working tools and wondered what I could make with just a router. After researching the many different projects that I could create I stumbled upon a wooden bowl project that was truly beautiful. I told my wife “I can do that!” This inspired me to purchase more wood working tools, including a wood turning lathe. With practice, I slowly began to learn new turning techniques that ultimately allowed me to create the beautiful bowl that first inspired me. More researching on wood turning allowed me to create more intricate bowls and vases. If wood can be turned, why not stone? I researched stone turning techniques as well, allowing me to create turned Alabaster bowls and vases too. I told my wife “I can do that” and so began my venture into wood turnings, which is now my passion.

What inspires your work?

To pick up a piece of wood or stone in its raw form does not allow a person to see the beauty within it. When I look at a piece of wood or stone, I study it, I look at the shape, the color, the many attributes of the piece. I’m inspired by removing the mask that Nature has placed on many woods and stones. As a result of unmasking wood or stone on a lathe, the beauty within is visible. Mother Nature has challenged me to unmask the stunning colors, shapes and grains hidden by her. To expose the true beauty of a piece of wood or stone in an art form that is graceful and unique is very satisfying to me. This satisfaction drives me to continuously learn and look for methods that will make my work ever more beautiful and unique.

What would you like your customers to know about you?

Most of my career has been in the metal working industry where I worked as a Tool and Die Maker and then as a Manufacturing Engineer. The experiences that I have gained as a Tool and Die Maker and as an Engineer have allowed a much easier transition to the wood/stone turning processes.

All work and no play makes Doug a dull artisan. To avoid this from happening, when I can, I often travel to the Great Smokey Mountains to revel in nature’s back yard. I love to be near Nature. It is here where I am most at peace. I am currently creating many art pieces from turned wood and stone on a full time basis and enjoying life to the fullest!

Recognitions

When I was first selected by the South Carolina Artisan Center to be one of the particapting artist I had to first have my work juried before I was accepted. A couple of years later all the artist had to resubmit work to be juried again in order to stay in the Artisan Center. I wasn't sure about having to have my work juried again but I was surprised with the following email with the jury results of my work.

Congratulations! The jurors for the 2006 Jury Review for the South Carolina Artisans Center have selected you as one of our most outstanding artists in the gallery! We are proud to count you among our exhibiting artists and look forwardto great success in our new retail gallery opening this summer. Sincerely, The Board of DirectorsThe SC Artisans CenterDavid Smalls, Chairman

Friday, April 16, 2010

Honey bees and etc.

What a day for Fishing

Sunset