Featured Artist
Steve Uren - Northwoods Rustic Creations
“I read the wood” says furniture/wood artist Steve Uren when he describes how he begins a new piece. Growing up in Upper Michigan, Steve has always had a fascination with natural designs found in nature. “Looking at grain texture in wood is mesmerizing to me; I think to myself there is nothing like this anywhere on earth as I hold a piece of wood in my hand.”
Steve is self taught but has an inherited love of wood from his Grandfather. He worked in the mental health field for nearly 14 years, five of which were spent creating wood art after-hours and doing a few local shows a year. The little money earned during that time was used to buy bigger and better wood working equipment. He dreamt of the day he could retire and create full time without a “job” getting in the way.
“That day came quicker than I could have ever imagined. I took the leap nearly five years ago and have never once regretted it. I love to go to work and I wake up happy. Now I just need to figure out what I will do when (if) I really retire.”
In the very beginning, Steve’s work was rustic. Lodge type furniture is quite popular in the North using twisted roots, branches for tables, beds and other furniture. Slowly he transitioned into more contemporary furniture with rustic accents and now currently he is 98% contemporary. “I wanted to broaden my horizons and branch (pun intended) out a bit, challenging myself at the same time.
I work with wood to express my artistic self. I never want to lose that exciting feeling of creating and growing so I must continuously act on new ideas. It is only in the last 1 1/2 years that Steve has begun his venture into the realm of non-functional art. “I have always been a firm believer in functional art but wanted to create something that showed the natural beauty of the wood in a new way. Thus, my sculptures were born.”
Steve primarily uses high figure domestic hardwoods that are purchased from a sustainable forester in the Upper Peninsula. Birdseye maple and tiger maple are the two most common. He combines different species and colors of wood, creating a natural contrast. He never uses stains or dyes.
Everything Steve makes is one of a kind; no two pieces are ever alike and he creates each piece from plans that are kept only in his head. “The only time I draw out a plan is when I am commissioned to do a piece to give the client an idea of what it will look like.”
Steve lives in the real snow country of Calumet, MI, with his wife Carol. Like most Upper Peninsula artists they make sure to schedule some Florida art fairs in the winter. Maybe you will see them there next winter.
In the meantime visit the website to learn more and check out their art fair schedule: www.northwoodsrustic.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 |
 |
 |
|
||
 |
|
 |
|
||
Privacy Policy - All Rights Reserved. © ArtFairCalendar.com - Advertise with Us - Link to Us
