John M. Russell, Woodworker
John M. Russell, Woodworker in Linden, Virginia creates lathe turned wood objects using wood from all over the world, many exotic and unusual in grain and color. Most of his wood vessels are chip inlaid with semi-precious gem stones or pewter. Some vessels have applied gold and/or silver wire.
Wood and hand cast feathers, snakeskin and butterfly wing form hand-turned writing instruments.
John M. Russell
I have always had a fascination of the unlimited beauty in wood. And, since 1989, I have worked in woods from all over the world, many exotic and unusual in grain and color. I hollow them out by hand on a wood lathe. I never dye or stain the wood in my vessels. The colors you see is that which nature intended.
I inlay most of my vessels with semi-precious gems stones and Pewter. I inlay the stones in an age old method called chip inlay. Breaking larger stones into smaller ones and inserting them one at a time with tweezers into the natural voids in the wood. Some vessels have applies Gold and or Silver wire.
I work in two forms, lidded and non-lidded. My lidded vessels have evolved into a balance of height and width that achieves harmony in the form. The use of voids and imperfections in the wood as part of the design gives a third dimension of depth within the negative space.
I have been a self-taught woodturner since 1989. Every piece that I create is my own design, and the work is completed without any assistance. My office and studio are located in my home, which is in Linden, VA near the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.
