THE FINE ART OF WOOD - THE BOHLEN COLLECTION

I first saw at the 1997 San Francisco Craft Show a wonderful wood piece made from a box elder burl and created by Kris Sacksteder of Weird Woods in Seattle, Washington. Having owned interests in fine art galleries from many years, I had never really thought about wood as a medium because most of the people I knew in the fine art world looked down their noses at people who were working with wood as handicrafters.

After acquiring this container, I began to do some research and investigation into artists who were turning and carving wood, as well as using it in mixed media. I retained four consultants to counsel me in terms of their perceptions of some of the world's best artists working with wood. After reviewing their input, I began contacting artists so that I could acquire some of the very best works that they had done. The response was very positive and my process was started.

In between listing and selling real estate, which allowed me to afford this collection, I traveled all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and Europe looking at wood as craft and art, while acquiring the best pieces I could find.

It has been remarkable living with these pieces. They have brought exceptional warmth to our home and have greatly expanded my horizon in looking at wood as fine art. Clearly the top artists working with wood are creating fine art. There is little doubt in my mind that great things will be happening over the next few years in the field of wood turning and carving. As Louis Nizer once said, "A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands, his brain, and his heart  is an artist."

Mike Mendelson has been a great mentor through this process. His knowledge of the artists, the field, and the history of wood turning has proved invaluable. He deserves special thanks. Thanks go to Bonita Fike, MaryAnn Wilkinson, Kirk Bakker, Maurice Parrish, Ross Pfeiffer, Tara Robinson, Julia Henshaw, Mike Savitski, and Louis Gauci for their shared enthusiasm for the fine art of wood. Without all of their support and input, this would not have been possible. Additional thanks go to the artists for their energy, enthusiasm, and efforts.