David Lyon, Woodturner
From the Roots Up
“I am always conscious of working with a living material. My designs therefore, are influenced by the uniqueness of the wood. Working with knots, crevices, grain and figures, I attempt to unveil, with as much simplicity of design as possible, the natural beauty inherent in each piece. I find true pleasure in the tactile nature of this work and the kinetic flow of the piece. My goal is to imbue this sense of joy into each piece I create.”
Craftspeople and artists from around the world have been pushing the boundaries of what once was primarily a utilitarian and functional activity - the production of mixing bowls, spindles and hand tools (or what is called treen), to include beautifully turned decorative objects and sculptural forms.
Black Cherry and Grape vine basket
by David Lyon
Maple and walnut box
by David Lyon
Padauk box
by David Lyon
Dried flower vase - Walnut, maple and wire
by David Lyon
Several aspects of working with wood on the lathe inspire me. An important element is the wood itself - whether "found" domestic woods discovered on hikes in Muskoka, The Northumberland Hills, the Gatineau Hills, or exotic woods purchased for their colours or figure - I am always conscious of working with a living material. My designs are often influenced by the individual peculiarities of a piece of wood - a knot, a natural crevice, and the grain and figure. I strive for simplicity of line and form so that the natural beauty and figure of a piece is 'allowed to speak'.
Maple burl bowl
by David Lyon
Box Elder bowl
by David Lyon
Spalted Beech salad or fruit bowl
by David Lyon
Figured Maple Cheese platter with shino tile
by David Lyon
My family and I have recently moved to Warkworth, in the Northumberland Hills after having lived in the Metro Toronto area for most of my life. I was first introduced to woodworking and the lathe as a student. Eight years ago, seeking a balance to my professional career, and an outlet for my creative interests, I chose woodturning as my medium. Now I sell my work at the Ontario Crafts Council's Guild Shop in Toronto, the Queen St shop Mood in Wood, at the gallery shops of the Art Gallery of Ontario, Burlington Art Gallery, McMichael Gallery, Art Gallery of Hamilton, Vancouver Art Gallery, The Smithsonian and Fallingwaters (the Frank Lloyd Wright heritage site). Locally my work can be found at the Colborne Art Gallery, Northumberland Art Gallery in Cobourg, Frantic Farms Studio and Eclectic Mix in Warkworth.
David Lyon - RR#5, Warkworth, Ont. K0K 3K0
Phone 705-925-1569
Toll Free 1-877-924-1569
Fax 705-924-1570
E-mail: info@fromtherootsup.ca
Website: www.fromtherootsup.ca
Association of American Woodturners and The Ontario Crafts Council