When the bough breaks
Michael Bud • Feb 11, 2013
Is this the future of wood carving?
In Episode 17, Season 1 of Star Trek: The Next Generation (An episode that aired February 15, 1988) a group of children were taken prisoner from the starship by an advanced civilization, Aldea. The society had the technical sophistication to provide the daily needs of all the citizens, so they could turn their focus to art and culture. The Aldeans wanted to raise the Earth children as their own, since their technology had unknowingly made them infertile. The children were given skill-enhancing instruments. One in particular was a tool which, when the child focused his mind, enabled him to carve a piece of wood exactly how he envisioned it (in his case a perfect dolphin).
Today, with the right tools (Thank you Makita and Arbortec) and the proper technique, I feel like I am almost able to project my vision onto the wood like that young boy did.
Here you can see the tool in action! (If only...)
In many of my recent pieces, all or part of the sculpture is seared with a torch. I got some of my inspiration from the Japanese exterior siding technique called Shou Sugi Ban (or Yakisugi) that preserves wood. The type of wood used traditionally is Sugi (Japanese Cyprus). The process involves charring the wood, cooling it, cleaning it, and finishing it with a natural oil. Ever since I was a child, I was absolutely fascinated and enchanted by fire. It serves as an amazing compliment to many woods. Depending on the type of wood, oil, and technique used, different shades of reds, browns, blacks and silvers can be achieved.
Here are a few posts from my instagram showing the progress of the current piece in my studio.
Forward Motion , one of my smaller sculptures is on display at NYC Jewelers on Main Street in Westport . Stop by and take a look. While you're there, tell Morris the owner I said hello!
