Intarsia Gallery
Intarsia Gallery
The art of Intarsia uses a variety of shapes, sizes, and types of wood that are fitted together (like a puzzle) to create a picture. Each specific wood is chosen for its unique qualities and effects to enhance each aspect of the scene. The individual pieces are cut, shaped and finished to provide the illusion of shadows and depth for the image.
The Hidden Forest
This is my personal favourite.
Our Golden Retriever, Abby, and I enjoyed many hikes through the forest nearby. Every day was a new adventure. This scene was inspired by the variety of animals we encountered over the years.
Only Canadian woods were selected for this project which is comprised of 259 individual pieces. Types of wood include Ash, Cedar, Douglas Fir, Maple, Poplar and Walnut.
Size: 34”w x 39”h
Abby
Abby was always excited and alert when we went for our hikes. She would run ahead but always looked back to check that I was following her. She had a great smile on her face and her tail would wag constantly, urging me to hurry up.
She knew I always had treats in my pocket and her tongue would hang out in anticipation!
Wood Used: Oak
Size: 17”w x 21”h
Canadian Moose
Many years ago our son attended The Juilliard School in New York City. When people found out he was from Canada they would ask if he saw “Moose on the loose” where he lived. This carving now hangs in his home and is often a conversation piece when guests visit.
He later sent a postcard he created that depicted an advertising poster as if it was on display In the city.
Wood Used: Antlers - Oak; Face - Butternut, Walnut from Canada and Caribbean Rosewood, aka as Chechen from Mexico.
Size: 21”w x 28”h
Eagle
This intarsia was created for an annual Guild Show held by the Art Gallery of Burlington. It is currently on display at the Paris Museum and Historical Society in Paris, Ontario, Canada.
The intarsia has over 130 individual pieces carved from various types of wood.
Wood Used: Walnut and Maple from Canada and Claro Walnut from the USA.
Size: 17”w x 24”h
Sunburst
Great, glorious, golden sun,
Shine down on me today
You are the life of all this earth,
You and your magic ray.
Size: 23”w x 27”h
Canada Geese
This intarsia was created for another Guild Show held by the Art Gallery of Burlington to represent the theme, “The Journey”. There are over 125 individually carved pieces.
Wood Used: Walnut, Aspen and Poplar, all from Canada.
Size: 24”w x 18”h
Geisha
Twin cities, Itabashi, Japan and Burlington, Ontario, have developed a strong relationship with regular citizen visits, official delegations, special gift exchanges and memorable anniversary celebrations. As a member of the Art Gallery of Burlington I had learned about this friendship and was inspired to carve the Geisha.
This intarsia has over 80 individually hand carved pieces of various woods from around the world and won First Prize in the Intermediate carving competition at the Hamilton Wood Show.
May 2019 was the 30th Twinning Anniversary of the two cities and delegates from Japan came to Burlington. I was honoured when The City of Burlington presented each of them with a Friendship Bird I had carved from Canadian Maple.
Wood Used: Poplar, Ebony, Aspen, Yellowheart, Padauk, Purpleheart, Walnut, Siamese Rosewood, Redheart (aka Chakte Kok), Sakura.
Size: 18”w x 24”h
Diamond Lil
This intarsia is for my dear friend, Lil, who loves horses. The picture is comprised of 32 individual pieces.
Wood Used: Aspen, Cedar and Walnut, all from Canada.
Size: 18”w x 24”h
The Hound
This instarsia was also created for the annual Guild Show at the Art Gallery of Burlington. The theme that year was “Animals”. There are 48 individually carved pieces.
Wood Used: Claro Walnut, Black Walnut, Chenchen, Ebony, Maple and Oak.
Size: 18”w x 28”h
Mice & Cheese
These mice checking out their cheese windfall always brings a smile to everyone who sees them. I’ve done this popular intarsia several times.
Wood Used: Yellowheart
Size: 8”w x 12”h
Pigsley
This is my first “intarsia” pig. This pattern was also used for the hockey piece, “When Pigs Can Fly”..
Wood Used: Oak.
Size: 6”w x 12”h
When Pigs Can Fly
Hello, Hockey Fans!
Meet Stanley, a loyal fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs for his whole life. It’s been over 50 years since his beloved team has won the Stanley Cup! Yes, that long ago, in 1967, the year Canada turned 100 years old.
As you can see, he’s made some wings and has been working hard for a long time to get them to work ever since he heard someone say, “The Leafs will win the Stanley Cup when pigs can fly”. Sadly, no one has the heart to tell him pigs can’t fly and his make-shift wings won’t help.
Size: 23” w x 21”h