Craftsman's Statement
Well over a decade ago I started making “stick” bowls. These have become my signature pieces. In 2009 I moved away from the bowl shape to that of a vase. Some are tall vertical pieces that show off the fascinating patterns of the branches which I use. This exploration led me to carving some of these vases to either show the inside from the outside or create a heavy accent on the nature of the sticks. After making several of these pieces I decided that this was taking me away from the way I wanted to show of the nature of wood.
I have always felt that my job is to allow the wood to show its true beauty. If I have practiced my skill well enough, the “WOW” factor comes from the magnificence of the characteristics of the wood.
I also have a fascination with old or historical wood. I recycle and fashion new pieces from wood that has been processed one or more times in its journey. Some of this material is brought to me by customers who want me to create a reminder of memories from their past. Others are pieces of wood that connect us to our common past. Trees that were seedlings when Champlain passed by or were born in a deep dark forest that barely knew the presence of man. Others capture the essence of a single moment – a birthday or a defining event in one's life.
There are three components in making a piece: the customer, the craftsman and the wood. The customer describes to the craftsman what she wants. Sometimes she brings her own wood. The craftsman creates what the customer has described. The wood speaks of its character or story or sometimes both. The result is greater than the three amigos. It binds them together and awakens memories for all of them
My current exploration is the marriage of wood with epoxy. This results in stabilizing wood that otherwise has no value and creating pieces that in the past could never have been elevated to art. The results are mostly platters that allow both the wood and me to express ourselves.
Jim Lorriman
Mulmur, Ontario
November, 2020
Well over a decade ago I started making “stick” bowls. These have become my signature pieces. In 2009 I moved away from the bowl shape to that of a vase. Some are tall vertical pieces that show off the fascinating patterns of the branches which I use. This exploration led me to carving some of these vases to either show the inside from the outside or create a heavy accent on the nature of the sticks. After making several of these pieces I decided that this was taking me away from the way I wanted to show of the nature of wood.
I have always felt that my job is to allow the wood to show its true beauty. If I have practiced my skill well enough, the “WOW” factor comes from the magnificence of the characteristics of the wood.
I also have a fascination with old or historical wood. I recycle and fashion new pieces from wood that has been processed one or more times in its journey. Some of this material is brought to me by customers who want me to create a reminder of memories from their past. Others are pieces of wood that connect us to our common past. Trees that were seedlings when Champlain passed by or were born in a deep dark forest that barely knew the presence of man. Others capture the essence of a single moment – a birthday or a defining event in one's life.
There are three components in making a piece: the customer, the craftsman and the wood. The customer describes to the craftsman what she wants. Sometimes she brings her own wood. The craftsman creates what the customer has described. The wood speaks of its character or story or sometimes both. The result is greater than the three amigos. It binds them together and awakens memories for all of them
My current exploration is the marriage of wood with epoxy. This results in stabilizing wood that otherwise has no value and creating pieces that in the past could never have been elevated to art. The results are mostly platters that allow both the wood and me to express ourselves.
Jim Lorriman
Mulmur, Ontario
November, 2020
