Piece of the Wind WoodCarving

08/26/2021

In a custom/custom focused business like mine we have what we refer to as a five year project, or the kind of project that comes around once every five years that is challenging enough to keep fools like me at it. In the meantime you’re pretty much doing ‘anything for a buck’ waiting for the big one to happen! Seems like just about the time I’m ready to call it quits and get a real job… like ‘bout every five years… something special or interesting enough shows up to pull me back in. The Grace of Yellowstone Pool Table started as one of those, but quickly evolved beyond to become more like a once in a lifetime type of project. Couldn’t of come at a better time.
After 44 years of doing this, The Grace of Yellowstone served as the first piece of the ensuing & ongoing RDR Big Sky Wonderstruck Collection for the same clients, which feels to me as a wonderful way to bring my 44 year career to an appropriate conclusion. As with all my projects, proper closure remains my necessary means to an end. Doesn't mean I'm done, but it does call for a new job description-

08/26/2021

08/24/2021

Some of the woodwork from ‘A French Country Chalet On the Lake’. No, that wasn’t really its title, but it is what it turned out to be! This was actually an extensive & intensive remodel of a grand historical home along the shoreline of Lake Oswego! A wonderful project in total, I spent nearly three years supplying architectural elements as well as furnishings, all in the style of French Country. I also contributed as an interior design consultant and quality controller for specialty segments including stone, iron ornamentation and faux finishes. Rather an exceptional home when completed, the owners & clients were such as exceptional. Indeed, one of the more memorable endeavors of my career which was hard to leave behind. That though, is the nature of any journey. It’s not about leaving where we’ve been behind, but utilizing what we’ve learned to better embrace what’s to follow.

08/24/2021

From that same Chalet on the Lake, some of the cabinetry and painted accessories. Two story with a separate apartment for guests, the decoration was indeed elaborate, but all done well. As a beloved mentor of mine from years back, accomplished interior designer Donna Shepard taught me, “When designed in balance, you can be as elaborate as you want.” However, the prime directive remained constant in her view. Despite size or motif, mansion or cottage, to be a true home the home must be comfortably livable. This chalet on the lake most certainly met her criteria, and was my privilege to be a contributive part within its creation.

08/23/2021

Although somewhat of a close variation to the SOD 2005 pool table some ten years prior, The PNW Aficionado Pool Table is unique within its own merits and detail.
First consideration was the client himself, a connoisseur in his own right, which brought the theme of the table, to the table. As an accomplished gourmet cook, hiker and lover of the game of pool, using the mushrooms he avidly hunted for to use in his recipes seemed the logical featured subject matter. Next ingredient was one the floral treasures found in NW forest, the Trillium, that so well served as center side pieces for the table. Finally, all lumber stock used in construction also comes from the NW, including the aniline dyed Quilted Maple insets. Bring to a boil as a player’s quality table, stir lightly with an accompanying glass of wine, a favorite cue stick and a rack of pool balls. Put it all together and what do you got? A game of pool on a pool table even an aficionado can appreciate.

08/20/2021

I think every major city has something similar, that block of elaborate custom/Custom homes that appear on an annual basis. With comparatively short construction window, taking on a project of any size can be a challenge. The rewards come with public exposure, and word of mouth advertising is something money can't buy!!
Way back now in 2004, the grand home I was invited to participate in, 'Hidden Lake Lodge' was voted People's Choice, and awarded Best of Show that year. Personally I was recognized as 'Craftsman of the Show' by the Oregonian. No, I didn't receive a ribbon to hang on the wall (and Hey! I Wanted One, lol). I did get a multiple page feature in the Oregonian. How valuable is that type of advertising? From that gig, about 15 years worth of work!!

08/20/2021

Slated for the 2005 Portland Street of Dreams home, ‘Diamond in the Quarry’, my ‘Too Good for the Street of Dreams’ project. No, not my designation. It came from the home’s owner and his builder. This custom designed matched pair, a pool & poker table set was left out of the show by request of the owner because he feared they’d be damaged. Remember what I said about the value of word of mouth advertising? Well, there were no articles or fanfare to be generated through this endeavor. Remember what I said about a decent paycheck? Yep, recognizing my potential loss, the owner had the integrity to make it right with a bonus. That day, everybody went home with a prize!!

01/11/2017

The 'IMAGINE BENCH' (in Satinwood & White Limba. They added to the symbolism because both are used in instrument building).
My client isn't a musician, but loves music. She wanted a bench for her foyer where she could sit, relax & dream, with a little musical flourish on the front seat rail. Something she could pass on to her children & theirs. Hence, the overall concept.

The lyrics to the notes come from within John Lennon's composition, 'Imagine' carry the sentiment. "You may say I'm a dreamer, But I'm not the only one...".
The bench is not necessarily a tribute to Lennon's message, but more an invitation by my client to her children, friends & family to join her for a moment of Sit, Relax & Dream your dreams. The music of life.
Just Imagine

12/21/2016

Now, this is fun! A few years ago I was privileged to be invited to a juried guild of conservators, historic renovators & preservationists, Preservation Artisans Guild… the first of its kind in Portland, OR. This year I was honored & humbled to have this feature article done. ‘Everything you wanted to ask an old woodcarver about an obsolete vocation and why in the heck he chose it’, but didn’t know what to ask. Hey! Who does??
http://www.preservationartisans.org/2016/12/15/pag-member-feature-steve-pancoast-piece-wind-woodcarving/

Steve Pancoast refers to himself as an American Master Woodcarver, Woodworker and Designer of the Old World persuasion in a New World. You have to admit, that’s a thoughtfully-crafted title ...

11/05/2016

It's All About Shadows & Texture. It's not so much about what you see, but what you think you see-

In art, dynamics is expressing action, motion & energy. Life. Even a rock is dynamic, and in woodcarving, a wonderful subject to bring to life. My beginnings were in European Classical Ornamentation. That is where I first learned the versatility of wood carving chisels as a tool and weapon of illusion, and the basics of using them. Over the years I've learned to not just use, but to manipulate them, and the callouses on my hands today are in far different spots than they appeared when I first began. I have never found a more versatile tool, power or rotary that can replace the effectiveness of a well honed chisel, nor any computer driven CNC that can rival the expression of the human spirit. During those years I also learned the theory behind bi-relief carving. Essentially, how to create illusion of depth & dynamicy through the strategic control of shadows & shadows cast by the most intricate details of the carving. Among other things, when I’m designing or carving, I must know the viewing height, distance & angle to best do my job. The light source counts too. When carving entrance doors I always ask the compass direction they face relative to the sun. During the course of the day the carving will change relative to the sun’s position, & if I’m clever, I can take advantage of that to create a more interesting piece. Every cut, undulation & undercut counts. Finishing with staining & glazing techniques are another tool to accomplish this, as is painted finishes. Even white or black. Complete the piece in your mind before you begin, and give it every chance to work along the way.

I took the lessons from those early days and apply them to whatever motif or style I carve. Classic Ornamentation on a mantle, rustic wildlife panoramas and even in the round sculpting. I decided back then I wanted to become a master of texturing, & use that skill even when I'm distressing a table top to make it look worn & worm eaten. Woodcarving is the art of illusion & I love fooling my viewers with the manipulation of the illusion I’ve created. Every cut, every chip, every motion from the background to the foreground counts. Shadows are the key, even when I have to instill them when no natural shadows are available. My wife used to accuse me of being obsessed with woodcarving. Fact is, it's an adrenaline rush that takes patience, calculated strategy and sometimes months to achieve. No, I'm not obsessed... I'm addicted. If I pull off a good carving, What a Classical Rush!!

11/04/2016

First to finish up some old business before getting on to the new.

Meet Rosi Bear! 'BEAR in an ASPEN GROVE'.
A woodcarving adventure into textures, details, staining tricks & color enhancing in creating the illusion of depth & dynamicism in a whole lot less wood than there is subject matter. This folks, is the essence bi-relief carving-