I have been working as an artist in the Adirondacks for the past 25 years, and now I share my studio time between Upper Jay and Fayetteville, NY.
Living in nature, the woods, waters, seeing an owl for the first time, it has all affected my work. I’m a carver, painter, sometimes frame maker, jewelry maker and it all blends together for me in a great way with one technique encouraging the other.
All the wood used in my work is either cedar or spalted yellow birch. It is collected sustainably from land that we have in the Adirondacks or from storm blow down. No bark is ever taken from live trees-that permanently damages the tree for life. Bark is collected only from the forest floor.
The carving tools I use are hand held pneumatic King Arthur Brand. These allow me to get the subtle curves and shapes that I find pleasing - I do not use a lathe. The carved wood pieces are painted using oil paints in thin layers. Many layers are needed to get the affect that I want with the grain showing through. This lets the wood’s character and beauty shine like it should.
The Wood used in the jewelry pieces is usually yellow spalted birch –spaltedwood is wood that has been cut and the natural break down process in the wood creates beautiful patterns and colors. The pieces I use in my jewelry collection are made from wood that has aged about 3-4 years. The metals in the jewelry are either silver, sterling silver or bronze with attachment bails and washers made from steel or antique brass.
Shawn's phone contact # 518-637-5015
