Mark Gardner

I make functional and decorative bowls, vessels and boxes from native hardwoods. All my work begins with whole logs. The functional bowls are turned twice to speed up the drying time and to achieve a round bowl when finished. These have a texture on the outsides that contrasts with the smooth and sanded insides, especially once the outside has been painted and sanded. They are finished with a food safe finish I make myself from walnut oil and beeswax.
The vessels and boxes are also turned from green wood and allowed to dry once turned. After they have dried the pieces are embellished using various carving, engraving and wood burning techniques. Layers of milk paint are then applied, an old traditional paint made with milk protein that bonds extremely well to wood. Sanding through the paint layers reveals or accentuates the embellished surfaces. These more decorative pieces are then finished with an acrylic laqure.