Best Wishes for a Wonderful 2013

 

Winter has arrived in Muskoka and we have lots of snow for the holiday season. 

 

Wishing you and yours all the best in 2013.

The Perfect Wedding Gift

Brian had a visit this week from a couple who have recently purchased a cottage in the Limberlost area.  Already they have developed a love for Muskoka forests, lakes and the restorative effects of cottage living.  Markus and Ann were about to attend the wedding of his brother who lives in British Columbia and they wanted to give a gift that was distinctive, organic and artistic.

 



They were immediately drawn to the maple burl bowls and fascinated by the irregular shapes, raw, bark edges and the food-safe smooth finish.  This unique creation from Muskoka, with the warmth and beauty of the forest, is the perfect wedding gift.

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

Summit Centre Exhibit: Silver Maple Burl Bowl

The rugged landscapes of Muskoka are evident in the beauty of a finished burl.  Brian intuitive approach to a burl begins when it is dry and ready to be turned on the lathe.  Nature's creation resulted in this extraordinary maple bowl which is distinctive for its lacy bark edge, graceful shape and rich colour.

Silver Maple Burl Bowl

For more information about the Artists of the Limberlost Exhibit at the Huntsville Summit Centre until April 15:

http://www.artistsofthelimberlost.ca/press.html?todo=viewnews&newsid=93



Maple Burl Bowl

The creation of a special bowl begins with careful examination of a burl, the discovery of the character within, and results in the satisfaction of creating a work of art from nature.



A burl is a rounded outgrowth on the trunk of a tree that forms when the tree ungoes stress such as an injury or fungus.  Burls are prized for the beauty of their rare and highly figured grain.  This sugar maple burl was discarded by loggers in a nearby Bella Lake property as part of a forest management program.  

Brian mounted the burl on the lathe and shaped the bottom of the bowl.  A wide base and a curved lip developed as the burl rotated and Brian carved the profile with his gouge.  The wide wings were maintained and they give a graceful, elegant shape.

The orientation of the burl was then reversed and the chuck was attached to the bottom to form the inner contour of the bowl.  The inside of a burl is always a mystery until the cuts are made. This burl has outstanding colour and figuring.

Brian worked for over a week on the final finishing details of sanding, buffing, and many coats of oil, with exceptional results.  The bowl has a live edge, bark inclusions and rich variations in colour.

The Muskoka sugar maple burl from the forest lives on as a beautiful, natural work of art.