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2024/08/08 - Guild Meeting - Flame Texturing Highly Figured Wood with Art Liestman

Flame Texturing Highly Figured Wood with Art Liestman
  • Thursday August 8th
  • Zoom IRD 
  • Zoom call opens a 6:15 for socializing
  • Meeting begins at 6:45 PM
  • Demonstration begins at 7 PM

Returning this month, artist and demonstrator, Art Liestman, is going to discuss flame texturing highly figured wood.  In turning a small bowl, Art will show his technique for "flame texturing" highly figured wood.  The textured wood can then either be left "as is" or colored with multiple layers of acrylic paints using a dry brush technique.  

As an example, Art will turn, flame texture, and color a “popcorn bowl” which ends up looking like stone. Burning and dry brushing are shown in detail, and a doughnut chuck is described and used. This demonstration is designed to be understandable and within the abilities of any members.


This demonstration will include photographs of pieces made with the technique plus diagrams made in advance, plus occasional text to explain details.

The turning is recorded in advance, which allows Art to narrate the process and to take questions as the video proceeds. The recording skips over time taken to sharpen tools (unless that’s an essential part of the demo) and to mount pieces on the lathe.

Art is able to show more steps of the process using video than he can actually do in a live in person demo. With a two-way video and audio link, I am able to “rewind” if requested and to fast forward through repetitive bits if the audience would like to do so.


 
About our Demonstrator:

Art Liestman likes to say "I just make stuff".  Indeed he does.  Art has been making and selling turned objects for over 20 years. He particularly likes making whimsical objects and objects that do not appear to be made on the lathe. His work has been featured in numerous shows and exhibitions, in various magazine articles, and in several books. Originally from Kansas, he has lived in Coquitlam, British Columbia for many years and is now retired from a career as a university Professor.

While working on an early wood working project, Art needed some round pieces and quickly discovered that turning wood on the lathe was quite addictive. At that point, he began to focus on woodturning rather than wood working. He spent a few years making the usual functional turned items, but a demonstration by Frank Sudol opened his eyes to the possibilities of expression in artistic woodturning. After taking a particularly illuminating class with Jacques Vesery, Art starting making his puzzling illusion vessels. Since then, his life in wood arts has continued to evolve.  Art now also enjoys exploring other surface enhancements using burning, pyrography, carving, and coloring. He has a particular interest in making pieces on the lathe that do not necessarily appear to be turned.  While Art is not opposed to working off the lathe, virtually every piece that he makes is based on a turned form.


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