Description

An apt writer once noted that there are really only two kinds of sculpture: monuments, and amulets: one large, public, communicative; the other small, private, and protective. As a small, sculpted amulet, a spoon contains stories, meaning, and often very personal connections — while also providing physical nourishment, sustenance, and sensual and aesthetic qualities — beautiful shapes and ornament, and the warm qualities of wood — to please hand and eye, as well as mouth.

In day one of this two-day class, we’ll use a straight and a curved blade to sculpt a spoon from fresh green wood. The basic hand and knife skills we develop on day one will then be adapted on day two for ornamental work: shaping details like necks, handles, and finials, and applying decorative pattern and design using techniques like chip-carving, kolrosing, and relief carving to form figures, letters, and other shapes.

Design follows beauty. What is beauty? We’ll consider that question with every aspect of our process and practice, from grips and posture, to 2- and 3-D decorative work, tool selection, sharpening, and even (maybe!), how to integrate life and art.

The craft itself requires no power tools, vice, workbench, or exotic tools. You need only a knife or two, wood, and a place to sit – no vise, mallet, or workbench required. Proper technique allows for safe, effective work with minimal effort.

Your experience and questions help shape the class, but in general, Kiko will cover all the basics, including tool and material info, sharpening, sourcing wood, finishing, and design.