Project Description
KEITH BURDON
I began carving in 1993 while working as a carpenter and cabinetmaker in Nova Scotia, where I was drawn to the local folk-art style of whimsy and vibrant colour. Being very accessible to a novice, this was a great medium for learning to carve and paint. A unique look began to emerge in my work, with more intricate detail than is typically seen in folk art. I have done several series of caricatures, marine creatures, dragonflies, and clocks with carved faces in this style. Most pieces were made with reclaimed local softwoods and finished with acrylic paints.
While working for Coast Craft Yachts in 2005, I was commissioned to carve a grey whale for installation as a door panel on one of their boats, and I began to explore the realm of realism. The first piece was well received and I continued to explore this style, working with the natural properties of wood and employing light and shadow to heighten the sense of three dimensions in more two-dimensional work. I began to play with grain patterns in the layout stages of each piece, and I found I could accentuate curves and other features, thereby providing a greater sense of depth and texture in the final result. I also explored different hardwoods for their distinct colour and grain patterns, as well as figured woods, which can give the effect of dappled light or moving water. This work focused mainly on natural scenes and featured stains and clear finishes rather than paint.
I have lived close to the sea most of my life, and marine themes have always been prominent in my art. Wood is a wonderful material to work with, and I find the carving process mentally, physically, and emotionally rewarding.