I am an artisan woodturner. My process for creating a piece starts by selecting the raw material. Over the years, I have scavenged the best raw materials from old fallen trees and scrap piles on harvested wood lots. Friends or neighbors may drop a tree or clear an area, and if the wood is not fit for their use, they bring it to me, thinking it might have potential. I'll gladly add it to my collection.

After 3-5 years of curing/drying, the next step is to decide where to open the raw material and at what angle. What plane will expose the real story of the wood? What is the best cut to enhance the beauty beyond the bark? With the angle and entrance point decided, the saw and chisel expose the life history of the tree. With a little luck, backed by 25 years experience, the best guess of where to cut is now a working commitment.

All images © Dave Sears

With the freshly cut sector mounted on the spinning lathe, a razor sharp gouge peels away many micro-thin layers and the life history of the wood jumps out. The wild grain reveals a story of survival through ice, insects, storms, lightning, drought, fire, and strain. The gouge is guided to expose the flame, feather, spalting and other beauty marks that set the wood apart. What shape the wood will take is uncertain. The commitment is first to the wood, not the shape. After the final shape is determined, smoothing and sanding bring out the depth and character of the grain. Last, multiple coats of finish/sealer ensure protection and beauty for many years to come. Each piece is not just a bowl, platter or candle holder. It is a celebration of the character of Mother Nature's work.

The pieces offered to you, in the form of bowls, platters, miniature bird houses, candle holders, wall hangings, etcetera, are unique and definitely "One of a Kind." Some of the wood is imported from abroad to allow me the opportunity to study foreign species and their beauty. I invite you to visit my shop and Internet gallery to share the story of the wood as I continue to fulfill my passion to find the Beauty Beyond the Bark.

DEMONSTRATION: I plan on displaying 20+ pieces of various shapes, sizes, and many different woods and finishes. I have 3 different size lathes and all will be working. The largest can turn up to two foot diameter bowls. Pieces showing the procedure from rough cut to finish will also be displayed.

STUDIO ACCESS: The shop area is at ground level and there is easy access to ample parking.

6391 County Road K, Blue Mounds, WI 53517 | 608-795-2616
dsears001@centurytel.net | www.beautybeyondthebark.com