DEAN CARRIER

Finding the hidden beauty in natural objects is second nature to me. The carefully turned closed forms, vases and bottles reflect my lifetime love of nature and an innate perception of what beauty may be hidden beneath that seemingly worthless tangle of roots and wood that has washed up on the beach, or lies covered with fallen leaves and debris on the forest floor.

A native Californian, I have been a professional wildlife biologist for over 40 years and continue to pursue my learning the intricacies of the natural world. I initially found my source of woods in roots and burls of dead wood located on our property in the Sierra foothills or in driftwood piles on the northern California beaches. More recently I have begun to use a variety of North American woods, preferring species with natural cracks, crevices and bark inclusions and the hollow forms created; turned from these distressed woods are often filled by me with semi-precious stones and minerals for accent and diversity. Southwestern Native American pottery has a strong influence on my designs and I strive to emphasize the natural random grain and faulting so as to augment the natural flow of the piece. Finishing is a laborious application of oils and fine wax.

These turnings are primarily artistic accent pieces as opposed to utilitarian items. A few dried flowers is all I expect to find their way into these vessels.

Wood is not perfect! It is biological material and is subject to the effects of moisture; temperature and light; the length of exposure, insect attack, disease and decay, and the unique physical properties such as density, grain, color, and the growth rate of each tree species. The result may be discolorations, irregular grain patterns, cracks and holes, all adding to the character and natural beauty of wood. Different areas in a single tree may produce a variety of colors, density and grain.

26543 Carmel Rancho Blvd. , Carmel Ca 93923    Phone & Fax 831-624-1172     

bigsurgallery.com    bigsurgallery@sbcglobal.net