ARTIST PROFILE
Turnings By Lawrence
An Introduction to Woodturner Lawrence Howard
“As a woodturner I do not create the beauty contained in a piece of wood. As an artist each piece placed on the lathe is a new ‘discovery’ and it is my pleasure to examine and reveal nature’s inherent hidden beauty, enhancing what is already there by shape, form, and balance.”
Lawrence is a self-taught woodturner, who in rediscovering his love of the craft, quickly advanced from hobby to professional level in early 2002. Woodworking, including turning had been a part of a 20-year teaching career at both the elementary and secondary level. An eye to beauty and form had been developed through a life-long view through the lens of a camera and his appreciation for detail and precision had matured through another self taught skill machining; the building of miniature replica working engines, including a fully operational riding steam train.
His innate aesthetic sensitivity to wood and well-honed professional craftsmanship and experience with innovative techniques, produces unique artistic and functional woodturnings. Discriminating individuals who appreciate the elegance, imagination, beauty and attention to detail in woodturnings seek his works out. Uniqueness in form and markings as well as fine finishing characterizes his products.
He gains a personal satisfaction knowing that much of the wood used is likely destined for the dump, chipper, and fireplace or to be simply discarded and left to rot in the woods. Raw material is also obtained from fellow turners, personal acquaintances with those actively working in the logging industry, and by being keenly observant while traveling through the Algoma District where he resides.
Although Lawrence does not hesitate to use stunning pieces of wood from other locales or small pieces of exotic woods from eco-manages forests as accents or finishing touches – the majority of the material is obtained locally – turned ‘green’ and dried naturally rather than purchasing kiln dried blocks of wood generally available to woodturners these days. Of course turning green and drying wood naturally imposes its own set of challenges as well as rewards.
Lawrence creates works in many sizes, shapes and kinds of wood; natural-edged bowls and platters, vases and other hollow vessels, lidded containers, lamps, wiring pens and pencils as well as other forms which may incorporate carving or burning to create truly ‘original’ compositions. As one who enjoys the many expressions of art be it simple or complex, he attempts to push limits – reflecting his desire to gain insight into aesthetic beauty brought into reality; feeling the ‘soul’ of the material that is being worked.
Commonly used woods include maple, white and yellow birch, beech, black and white ash, fruit woods, walnut, poplar, sumac, oak, cedar burls, and burls of all species, and especially woods of these varieties are spalted. Although collected at all times during the year the material is not always put on the lathe immediately. Some of it may lie around for months before an insight is gained into what it may become. Many of the pieces that are created contain incredible spalting and coloured patterns that occur naturally – a result of the wood having been left on the ground to decay.
Once the rough green woodturnings are dried they are returned to the lathe for completion. The period of time required to complete an individual piece may vary from a few months to a number of years and is dependent on many different factors. As a final step environmentally safe, non-toxic oils or food-safe finishes and waxes are applied to enhance the natural beauty and colours of the wood. These finishes are hand rubbed and buffed, allowing the warmth and sensuousness of the wood to be felt and appreciated. With proper care and placement in the right environmental setting one of these exquisite woodturnings will last indefinitely and can be considered an heirloom.
Lawrence has attended a number of juried art shows and sales including Art on the Dock, Canadian Arts Festival, Fall Colour Tour, Sylvan Circle, and the Bon Soo Art Show. His work was recognized for its quality and he was selected by the Sault Ste. Marie city council as one of the artists whose work would be commissioned as gifts for presentation to visiting dignitaries. He works from his home in Sault Ste. Marie and has his work on display at that location.
See Lawrence Howard’s work at the ArtSpace in the Station Mall from March 30 to April 6, 2007.
