Kevin Bedgood
Wood Turning Artist
Lancaster, PA
Kevin Bedgood's exotic
turned wood pieces display an eclectic array of influences from Eastern
Philosophy to Native American culture. Artifunk.com recently interviewed Kevin and here is what he had
to say about his wood art.
AF: When did you decide to become an artist?
KB: Art had been a fascination to me since I was a
child. Unfortunately, I lacked the talents or skills required to draw
or paint. It wasn't until I was in my late twenties that I came to
recognize that I could explore other media. That was when I began more
"practical" woodworking, making some simple furniture (a few
tables and some children's rocking chairs shaped like teddy bears).
AF: How did you first get involved with wood
turning?
KB: My first artistic woodwork began by making
Native American Flutes. I began to see the benefits to turning portions
of my flutes. I also began to see bowl turning as something of
interest. I purchased a lathe and began to make lots of sawdust and
some very ugly little bowls. Through the last decade I have continued
to explore new directions and challenge the "limitations" of
wood turning.
AF: Can you describe your process of creating?
KB: I think that I am most influenced by the
particular piece of wood that I am working with. I may keep a chunk of
wood in my shop for several years before I am struck with an idea of
what would work well for it. This also requires working out the
mechanical aspects of what I would like to do. Many of my ideas do not
fit into a standard woodworking process. I often push the limits of my
tools and machines to explore new directions. It is not uncommon for me
to have to actually design and make a new tool because there isn't one
commercially available that will do what I want.This can often add
months to the process of making a new piece.
AF: Where do you get your inspiration?
KB: The vast majority of my inspiration comes from
two primary areas; nature and scientific exploration. Forests, rivers,
space and the universe, even down to the geometric construction of the
DNA molecule
AF: Your pieces seem to have some Asian influence.
Where do you draw this influence from?
KB: I began to study martial arts as a small child
and have been an instructor (primarily Aikido and Gojo-ryu karate) for
more than twenty-five years. This, of course, exposed me to many Asian
influences. It is also during this ongoing journey that I began to
practice the Buddhist faith.
AF: Who are your greatest influences?
KB: I find myself most interested in those artists
that have achieved success in a variety of areas. Those people that are
able to approach their entire lives seeking an artistic balance to
everything they do. Da Vinci is one. Another is a Japanese artist known
as Niten. He was better known as Miyomoto Mushashi, probably the
greatest and best known swordsman in the history of Japan. He was also
a painter, sculptor, architect, city planner, warrior and counselor to
some of most powerful leaders of his time.
AF: Do you use endangered wood from endangered
trees in your pieces?
KB: All of the exotic woods that I use in my pieces
come from environmentally friendly sources. Either managed forest
resources, plantation grown or through the international SmartWoods
program. The vast majority of my domestic lumber is salvage, obtained
from road crews, tree services or storm damage.
AF: Where do you see your work evolving?
KB: In all honesty, I have no idea. There are
techniques that currently draw my fascination: more carving, making
much larger pieces, ways to delicately lift or raise the piece, adding
colors or inlays. I am sure that in five years I will look back and be
doing things that I haven't even imagined at this time. This is
incredibly exciting!
