Layers Upon Layers: Mixed Media Art

Artist Profile: Derek Andrews

by Cyndi on February 22nd, 2007

Artist: Derek Andrews
Business name: Seafoam Woodturning Studio
Location: River John, Nova Scotia, Canada
Websites & Blogs:
Seafoam Woodturning
The Chipshop - a blog for my customers
The Toolrest - a blog for woodturners
DerekTurnsWood - MySpace

Derek, how do you describe your work?
My work ranges from the purely functional to the purely sculptural. Most works have simple clean lines that are carefully finished to show off the wood grain without marks left from tools or abrasives.

What is your creative process like?
This varies a lot.Much of my time is taken up with repetitive production work that takes little conscious thought on my part. I’m sure I could make wine stoppers in my sleep. I always have something to listen to, usually talk on CBC Radio One, but sometimes a music CD if I have a deadline to meet and need pumping.

My truly creative work usually takes a long time to evolve in my mind or on paper. It is usually going to take a big investment in time to make, so I want to be sure that I have things right before starting. Somethings also need considerable thought about how to make them or may need special jigs making before I can start. Sometimes I need to sit on an idea until the right piece of wood comes along. Sometimes I just procrastinate way too long, so I keep a sketch book so that I don’t forget the idea altogether.

There is a lot of work that fits somewhere between these two extremes, where a special piece of wood will turn a standard production item like a bowl or weedpot into a very unique piece. In these cases I design on the fly so that I can make the very best of the special features of that piece of wood. (See a beautiful example of this below)

What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry?
I have had no formal art training. I did take a couple of short woodturning courses to learn the basics, but there is nothing like experience to learn this craft.I also took a general woodworking course for 3 months, doing all sorts or woodworking. My mentor, Dennis Hatchard, was an expert in finishing wood, and he inspired me to take so much care to get good results.

Is there a tool or material that you can’t imagine living without?
Most of the tools in my workshop are essential for something or the other. It would be easier to list the few that I have bought in the early days in the hope that they would solve a problem which I wouldn’t have had if I new what I was about.I could probably get by without the buffing system that I use, but then my customers wouldn’t be making so many comments about how nice and soft the finish is on my work.

What inspires you to create?
I think I was born to create ideas, but I often have to work hard to see them through to fruition.

What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?
Usually a deadline. If I can visualise production work as a pile of money that usually motivates me. But I often leave OOAK pieces alone for months or even years until I feel ready to move on. If I force it, I will usually end up with something I am not happy with.

What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
Be persistent. Learn all you can from others, but only copy their work to learn something, not to make something.

What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
Walking our three dogs and feeding our two pet goats.

What’s your favorite comfort food?
Guiness! [Note - Derek is a man after my own heart!]

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POSTED IN: Artist Profiles, Business tips, Creativity