WoodbyDoug and Sandlapper Photography: Art show in lancaster

Showing posts with label Art show in lancaster. Show all posts

Sunday, April 5, 2009

My woodturning art reception

Last thursday I had my reception for my art work at the springs house in lancaster SC. I was very apprenhsive about the turnout for it. The turnout was great and so I have to say the reception was a huge suscess for me. I was very pleased how everyone responded about my woodturnings.

Now that it is over I need a rest. Now instead of trying to create enough work to put in my art show I can concentrate more on the artistist work to my woodturnings and not on how much I make. Not that I neglected the artist work but I don't like working under pressure meeting a deadline.

My work will still be on display for all of April at the Springs art council.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Today is a very special day for me. It is my birthday but also it is the day of the start of my woodturning show in Lancaster SC. The reception starts at 5:30 Pm today. I will have on display my work at the Springs house in Lancaster for all of this month.

I have done some shows and demostration before so this is not exactly new to me so what is so special about this show.

Well for one I have never done a show in my home town of Lancaster. This is not just showing my work before strangers but it showing it to my friends and family most of which have never seen my art work. I wonder how they will react to my being a artist or maybe attempting to be a artist is a better word. Will they think I am good or not? Of course I know I am good but the question is what will they think?

The Idea of doing a show in my hometown of Lancaster started three and half years ago. when if first came up it was just after I injured my leg bad. I though then I would never be able to turn again so doing a show as for as I was concern could never happen. I was cripple and the pain my leg was so bad that my life center around my leg.

Well mircalously I have been able to start turning again and for the past six month or so I have been busy making new work to put in the show. I just hope it they will be well received and my reputation as a turner will be enhanced in my hometown. Lancaster will become my home again and will be center for doing my art work instead of Charleston.

I am also hoping that this show will give me a big boast in reestablishing myself as a premier art turner that I had lost due to my injury and inabilty to turn wood for so long.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Well it getting closer to my art show in April. It is to run for the entire month of April. The reception will be on April 2, 2009 which happens to be on my birthday. Maybe that is a good sign.

I do not know the time the reception starts. Hope to find out that soon and then I will post it.

The show will be at the Springs Art Council building at 201 W. Gay Street in Lancaster SC 29720. Their web page address is as follows.

http://www.lccarts.org/contact.htm

Everyone reading my blog is invited to attend. Hope their will be a good turn out to see my work.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

A showing of my work in Lancaster SC

Well at last I have a date set for a art show of my woodturnngs in Lancaster SC. I don't have the details yet but it going to be in April of next year. This should give me plenty of time for me to add to my inventory so I will have enough made to put on a good show.

I will certainly post more news about this as soon as the details are worked out.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

A show of my work coming at last

Since my last post I have been contacted about my doing a show in Lancaster. It going to happen now. I not sure of the date as I need to first take inventory of what turning I have left after I return from the Artisan Center this weekend. How much I have and how much I will have to make in order for me to have a very good show will determine how soon I can be ready to do a show.

I like to do one this year but that may be pushing it.

A picture of one of my first ornamental jewelry boxes I made sometime ago.

This is the ornamental bowl I am currently workng on. It is not finish yet. I still have to turn the bottom of it and finish it with lacquer. That will have to wait until the next time I come to Lancaster.

I not sure I like it now as I deviated from my orginal concept and I wish I hadn't done that. I think it is still nice but not as good as it would have been if I stay with my concept.

Oh well there is always another turnng and I will get it the way I wanted it in the first place.

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