Friday, March 23, 2012

Summit Centre Exhibit: Big Leaf Maple Burl Platter


Brian has many sources of burls.  Neighbours, friends and loggers call Brian when they find a burl on their property or in the forest.  Some people commission Brian to turn their burl so that a dead tree which is lost becomes a permanent piece of art in their home or a bowl for their kitchen. 

Other burls are purchased by Brian, especially more exotic or rare burls which are found in other parts of Canada or the world.  This big leaf maple burl platter was made from a western-Canadian burl that Brian purchased from his wood supplier.  The burl was extremely large so it was cut into slabs.  Brian has made a number of platters and a table from this burl, each with their own distinctive profile and rough edge.

Big Leaf Maple Burl Platter

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

Friday, March 16, 2012

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:

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Summit Centre Exhibit: Box Elder Burl Bowl


Box Elder is a species of maple native to North America which is known for its distinctive reddish streaks of colour. Brian never knows what to expect when he begins to turn a burl on the lathe. The swirling bark inclusions and variations in colour and texture make this a unique and striking bowl.

Box Elder Burl Bowl

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

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Summit Centre Exhibit: Algonquin Yellow Birch Burl Bowl


This rare bowl began with a call from Brian's wood supplier who received three yellow birch burls from Algonquin Park. The park is protected and trees are removed following the ideals of forest management, planned harvesting and renewal to ensure the long-term health of Muskoka's natural resourse. 

A burl is unwanted for logging but prized by a woodturner. This bowl is truly one of a kind with its variations in grain, delicate bark edge and distinctive knot hole.  A piece of Algonquin Park is returned to Muskoka and transformed into a functional artistic bowl.

Yellow Birch Bowl


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

Friday, February 17, 2012

Summit Centre Exhibit: Eucalyptus Burl Bowl


Eucalyptus trees, found in Australia, are among the tallest trees in the world.  In a trip to Western Australia, Brian and I travelled through forested areas and marvelled at the enormous gum trees which were occasionally covered with burls.  Brian mostly works with Canadian wood but was drawn to the striking reddish heartwood and light sapwood of this beautiful eucalyptus burl.  Brian worked with the natural shape of the burl to create a stunning piece of art with a food-safe finish.


Eucalyptus Burl Bowl

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

Friday, February 10, 2012

Summit Centre Exhibit: Maple Burl Bowl



The art of woodturning begins with a special piece of wood, with the most rare and prized being a burl. A burl is an irregular growth on the side of a tree, characterized by unique and intricate patterns and grain.

Brian was given this maple burl from his sister who has a farm in Wingham. The discarded knob from a dead tree has a new life as a bowl, with unexpected beauty, colour variations and a live bark edge.


Maple Burl Bowl

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

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Artists of the Limberlost Together at the Summit Centre


The Artists of the Limberlost exhibit at the Summit Centre in Huntsville is an inspired display of the recent works of the six artists who have studios along Limberlost Road.  The Summit Centre show allows people to see the wood, bronze, glass, paintings and sculpture together in one space before the Studio Tour on August 18 and 19, 2012.




The exhibition features bronze sculpture by Brenda Wainman Goulet, paintings by Catherine O’Mara, Jeff Miller and Mark Kulas, fused & stained glass by Susan Higgins, woodturning by Brian Markham, and driftwood sculpture by Jerry Friedman.




Come to the Summit Centre from now until April 15 to view the exhibit, and plan to attend the Artist of the Limberlost Studio Tour in August.  For more information go to: