Artwork for Peter Dixon
Spiki Vase
Ash "Bowl in a bowl"
Footed ash bowl
Burn carved vase, steampunk style
Carved spalted silver birch pot
Natural edge bowl
Pierced and Pyrographed footted vase
Details
Woodturning is the foundation to all of my pieces but over the years I have developed skills in a range of other techniques and materials to enhance and build on the initial turned item. I’m lucky to have access to locally sourced woods of unusual character and colour. Sometimes this is enough in its own right, sometimes I may add carved and pierced features, apply texturing, scorching and pyrography techniques, stains and acrylics to achieve the final piece of “woodart”.
The process of creation is one of discovery. Presented with a piece of wood I know that there is potential for some features, for example grain, figure, texture, colour but also that there are possibilities of manipulating the wood in different ways to bring out these features .. turning thin wall whilst wet gives a flexible platform, using a blowtorch can bring emphasis to grain patterns.
I will have a range of possibilities in mind as I start, but then will adapt as the features emerge. I can draw on a selection of complementary techniques to add to the piece, in particular carving and piercing but also sandblasting, pyrography, and the use of colour. Different grain types will respond in different ways to dyes and stains, and together with finishing techniques that use ever finer abrasives can create some stunning visual effects.
My name is Peter Dixon, and I started turning wood as a creative pastime in the mid-90s whilst living and working in the field of International Development in East Africa and South Asia. My motivation at the time .. I’ve always loved working with wood, and woodturning provided an ideal way to de-stress after an intense day of meetings and travel. Directing a razor sharp tool into a chunk of irregular wood rotating at speed requires ALL of your attention !
I’m now UK-based, in a wonderful rural setting close to the Welsh border in Herefordshire. I still work in the field of International Development but the Woodart has taken a more significant proportion of my time as I’ve engaged with exhibitions, galleries, and more recently in training and supporting others.
I’m involved in two local woodturning clubs and have recently formalised my training activities by being approved as a Tutor by the Association of Woodturners of Great Britain. Over the coming years I will continue to develop this part of my portfolio so if you fancy a go, or would like to develop your own skills in some of the other techniques I use, then get in touch !
I've been involved in H.Art initially through the gallery in Woods of Whitchurch and more recently the Garron Centre since 2017 and Art in Penallt from 2018
I'm selling through an Etsy shop: PDWoodart
