Archive for Thursday, September 1, 2005
Art reveals itself
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Anyone who knew Glen Paulk as president of Steamboat Ski Area in the 1970s might not recognize the man in his woodshop. He stands at the lathe, peeling away layers of bark and wood until a shape begins to reveal itself. He follows grain, texture and flaw as his muse.
What remains of the log when he is done has an ethereal quality beyond mere object. His pieces have a spiritual aspect. They reminded me of Egyptian urns made to be taken to the afterlife.
"I don't mean it that way," he said. To Paulk, his art is a matter of technique and a skill developed during time more than an artistic reference. "I can form any shape I want with wood."
Most of his pieces are made from waste wood given to him by friends in the landscaping and tree-removal business or recovered from trees felled during storms. He seals the ends of each piece, letting it sit in his shop until he is inspired.
"The beautiful part of woodworking is the excitement of finding the unknown inside the wood," he said. "I start opening up a piece of wood and let the wood speak to me. When something special is revealed, I try to protect that."
Paulk will work with a piece of wood that is partially rotted or cracked. Instead of discarding the pieces, he fills the holes with crushed turquoise, coral or onyx, depending on the type and color of the wood.
"I do not hesitate to use a piece of wood that has flaws," he said. "I think the flaws add to a piece."
Although many of his vessels are made from cherry, black walnut or maple from his home in Texas, Paulk has several pieces made of aspen collected in Steamboat.
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