Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour - You Are Invited

 

Cool crisp days, brilliant sunshine and the splendor of autumn leaves.  It is the perfect weekend to explore the dramatic back roads of Muskoka and visit artists in their studios.  Brian works alone at his lathe all year and he loves the opporturnity to interact with people and show them the bowls, platters and tables that he has created.

 

 

We welcome you into the workshop where you can see the raw burls, the slabs of wood and understand the process involved in turning them into platters and bowls.  The crowds form around Brian's lathe and there is time for discussion and a demonstration of his craft.



 

Limberlost Woodturning is on Fieldale Road, north-east of Huntsville on beautiful Rebecca Lake.  Plan your weekend to see some of the 20 artists who are opening their studios to the public.  For more information go to:

www.muskokaautumnstudiotour.com 

Artists of the Limberlost- Bob McLean, Painter

Preparations are underway for the Artists of the Limberlost Studio Tour on August 18 and 19 and Brian is pleased to have painter Bob McLean as a guest artist. Bob has a cottage on beautiful Rebecca Lake and he is inspired by the changing seasons and the beauty of the Muskoka landscape. 

Please join us to see how Bob McLean's love of the north with its forests, lakes and rocky shores are reflected in his watercolours.  You can almost hear the call of the loon and feel the mist rising as you see his painting of a canoe gliding on Rebecca Lake.

For more information about the Artists of the Limberlost Studio Tour visit our website:

artistsofthelimberlost.ca

From the Forest to the Kitchen: Yellow Birch Burl

Cutting up a Burl

In October 2010, I wrote about Brian cutting up a yellow birch burl and preserving the pieces by sealing the cut edges.  This allowed the wood to dry slowly and evenly, without cracking.

Yellow Birch Burl Bowl

This winter, one of the larger yellow birch sections was ready to turn on the lathe.  There was a sense of excitement as Brian cut into the burl that he had harvested from the fallen Rebecca Lake tree.  He followed the natural shape of the wood to reveal the intricate grain and colour variations. The underside of the bowl recalls the unusual curves of the burl.

Woodturning is an art which brings elements of nature, warmth and texture into your home. The smooth, food-safe finish ensures that the journey from the forest to the kitchen brings pleasure as you use the bowl to serve and display your food.

The Artists of the Limberlost Celebrate 5 Years

Please join us for the opening of the "Out of the Woods" art show on Friday, May 6, 5 to 8 pm at The Art Space or drop in May 6 though May 29. 

Five years ago Brian and I were making the final plans to move full-time to our cottage on Rebecca Lake when we got a call from Catherine O'Mara.  She had heard that Brian was a woodturner and invited him to join a few artists in the Limberlost area who were planning to develop a studio tour.  It has been an honour to be part of such a talented group of artists and a pleasure to welcome people into our studio.