Wood Medallions: A Craft of Old World Artistry
Continued from page 27
Antes, a master woodworker, has been practicing old world craftsmanship for two decades. It took him a number of years to perfect his skills and to acquire the equipment necessary to turn Bradley's designs into stunning works of wood art while honoring the integrity of the original designs.
Antes and Bradley spend many hours selecting woods for the medallions. They sometimes use acrylic impregnated curly Maple for blues, greens and pastels, but mostly rely on natural colored woods, up to fifteen different species for each art piece.
They seek out highly figured woods and pieces that are uncharacteristic of the species, evincing compression curls, ripples, or unusual genetic alterations. Rare woods, such as curly White Oak or curly Walnut, are particularly desirable, as are certain pecky woods which have distinctive small pockets or burrows.
The Unbroken medallion features shards of spalted Beech that display unusual patterns of black lines caused by mold that had settled into the wood grain.
Another favorite is Hawaiian Koa, which, when coated with sealant, gives off an iridescent glow almost as though it is lit from within.
Frequently asked questions
Who creates the wood medallions described in the article?+
Master woodworker Antes, who has practiced old world craftsmanship for two decades, creates the medallions by turning Bradley's designs into wood art while honoring the integrity of the original designs.
What types of wood are used in the medallions?+
The medallions use up to fifteen different species per piece, mostly relying on natural colored woods. Acrylic impregnated curly Maple is sometimes used for blues, greens and pastels, and rare woods like curly White Oak, curly Walnut, and certain pecky woods are especially desirable.
What makes the Unbroken medallion distinctive?+
The Unbroken medallion features shards of spalted Beech that display unusual patterns of black lines caused by mold that had settled into the wood grain.
Why is Hawaiian Koa wood favored for medallions?+
When coated with sealant, Hawaiian Koa gives off an iridescent glow almost as though it is lit from within.
What characteristics do the woodworkers look for when selecting wood?+
They seek out highly figured woods and pieces uncharacteristic of the species, showing compression curls, ripples, or unusual genetic alterations. Pecky woods with distinctive small pockets or burrows are also sought after.
How long does the wood selection process take for each medallion?+
Antes and Bradley spend many hours selecting woods for the medallions, carefully choosing from up to fifteen different species for each art piece.