The Burning Nerd
I was given my first woodburner at the age of 10, and I naturally gravitated towards the medium. Never having any formal training (I doubt there exists formal training) I gained experience and practice doing this as an unwinding exercise after school and late into the night. I am not able to concentrate on very much for very long in my life, but for some reason I was able to concentrate on this, the artwork and the activity has such a feeling of permanence.
I woodburned portraits into basswood but there is not much of a market, expecially considering how much time investment it takes to sculpt a great portrait or picture. One day I took a mesquite board, which came from a tree that blew down in my childhood backyard, and burned a rooster into it, and listed it on etsy. I was surprised with the response I received, and started doing more, and including custom options.
Woodburning into mesquite is extremely difficult and unforgiving, as with all hardwoods. Given patience and time I developed techniques in order to improve the process and accurately portray the designs I wanted to capture. I realize that this is the main advantage my shop brings, the beauty and functionality of the wood, along with the ability to customize it to perfection. To state it in other terms, I was the only nerd who never gave up this trade from childhood! Who does that? I mean, really?
I love making that custom piece for my clients, finding unique pieces of rustic wood. I consider the medium the "ugly duckling of woods" because it takes a very trained eye to see the beauty in the raw wood, but when it is cleaned up, sealed, smoothed, and customized it is certainly the swan of cutting boards.
I have now made boards for chefs, brides, and kitchens around the world, including Food Network Star Guy Fieri. I'm addicted to wood, and still trying to get better! Don't see myself ever giving this up!
