My style evolved from my love of wood, curves, and soft edges. I have been a cabinetmaker for 43 years. I see beauty and movement in wood and let the material tell me where it wants to go.
My art is all about the pieces used to create an image. I have always enjoyed drawing, so I’ve taken that love into wood. I also look for special woods when I go for supplies; purple poplar, curly maple, figured wormy maple, walnut crotches, unusual colors and designs that naturally occur in the wood. Then I go into Photoshop and take my drawings or images and create patterns. These patterns are cut up and I search my scrap for just the right flow, and color. The best time is when I oil the pieces. The images pop, and I get to see if my vision of color and grain worked. I love making a big mess, and having a few pieces going at once. Not all of them make it to the final exhibit but it’s the playing and imaging that I enjoy the most. I hope you enjoy it too.
I have been working and showing with Janice Rieves and Gretchen Niver on Ravens Lane in Pittsboro for 12 years, but I now have a new work space at my home. I’m still surrounded with other Artists and I look forward to many new adventures in my new space. I’m experimenting with new ways of pattern creation and adding epoxy colors to my pieces.
You can read about my wood journey on my website www.diswanwoodgal.com and see some of my past cabinet and art designs.