by Bella Erakko
With decades of experience behind him, Drew continues to be highly regarded among woodworkers. Working with woods native to the Midwest, he uses oak, walnut, maple, and hickory as his foundation. The artistic flair happens when he works colorful exotic woods such as bloodwood, winge, katalox, and purple heart into the piece, using a final process known as segmented turning. According to Drew, the whole process requires a lot of time, precision cuts, tricky glue techniques, and (he laughs) “sometimes exasperating finishes!” Folks often ask how long it takes to make a bowl or vase. His stock response? “A little less than forever.” His wife Karen comments that it keeps her retired pastor-husband busy. After all, she explains, “He has every tool known to man.” Drew’s response? “I am only one tool away from greatness.”
If an object can be made from wood, he’s probably made it. Bowls, vases, rolling pins, checkerboards, inlaid boxes, wine bottle-and-glass holders, urns.
These days, jewelry boxes have caught his eye. He enthuses, “I’m using Tiger-Maple, a blond wood with dark stripes like that of a tiger. I’m also lathing some burl wood bowls and vases where the ‘live edge’ on top remains rough and life-like.” For our new Gallery location, Drew custom-built a multi-shelved unit. The result is a stunning display of the wide range of his woodworking abilities. Now all he needs is one more tool to lathe his way into, well … greatness.
An opening reception will be held on Saturday, November 12 from 4:00 until 7:00 with an artist talk at 6:00. This event is free and open to the public.
