Working with Wood.

Raised pulpit in the beautiful St. Patrick's Basilica, Montreal.

The work of master carver Grinling Gibbons (Born Rotterdam, 1648- died London, 1721).

Genius artist with a rockin' name!

Finehomebuilding.com

I have been pondering what to write about woodworking and carpentry, besides the fact that I find the idea of them very beautiful. Be it liberating ornate, three-dimensional shapes from a block of oak, or the construction of a clean-lined pine deck, I'm really moved by the connection some people have with wood. With carving, my fascination lies with how the artist can envision, then release leaves, acorns, claws, rounded cheeks and so much more from what appear to be a shapeless, unyielding mass of matter. In the case of carpentry, a connection with the natural, an understanding how one wood will yield where another resists, how the properties of one may serve the end purpose better than the next - this is wonderful to me. And the patience and precision it takes! The working and reworking, the - roughened fingers crossed - smooth final assembly of the pieces, then the treatment. An altogether lengthy process, but an enjoyable one if you love what you're doing. And once it's completed, there's the end result - the bench, the cabinet, a deck overlooking the yard - that will provide years of enjoyment and satisfaction. Useful, beautiful and between the crafter and the crafted, absolutely unique.