Outside the dust … This is where you can find some of my past, current and future projects
Most of you haven’t seen anything from me in a couple years. With aging parents and changes in life, we’ve moved 3 house-holds in 2 years. One of those moves created the need for me to build a new shop. I’ve missed the opportunity to play in the saw dust, and have all intention to […]
My name is Eric Pennal. With the exception of 6 1/2 years in the US Air Force, I've spent my entire life on the Western Slope of Colorado. Roaming the high country for just about any reason is what keeps my sane. In 1998, through a friend I'd made in the service, I was introduced to woodturning on a lathe. In just a few hours in his workshop, I was introduced to a path that would fascinate and challenge me for years to come. The piece I turned that day was a block of Walnut that had been used to jack up several vehicles in a garage over the years. It was weathered & stained. It was a piece of firewood. It ended up being a beautiful bowl that sits in my home to this date. I was just amazed at the beauty that appeared from a piece of old wood.
I returned home from that trip and immediately set about finding my own lathe. My obsession with wood began from that point. As I learned my craft, I like to tell people that when I first started, I'd turn cardboard if I could get it stick together. I'd turn anything that I could get my hands on. In those early days, as I turned, I'd end up throwing out (or burning) pieces that would split and check as they dried. I'd eliminate any piece that didn't dry well (or broke during the process). I tried all sorts of ways to stop that or control it. Most never worked. I then stumbled on what now sets me apart ... I learned to inlay my pieces with various materials ... from coffee grounds to precious stones. I refer to it as my "Artist's Band-aid". I now look for those pieces that will provide me with some "character" as they dry. I am much more selective these days in the pieces that I'll even start with (no more cardboard). If it doesn't have the potential to be a finished piece that will stop someone as they walk by it, it stays in the firewood stack.
Through a chance meeting on a sales call, I ran into a shop owner who didn't need any bowls or vases but he did need some lamps and tables. The same concept and attention to detail that I learned through my work with bowls & vases, I now utilize on lamps & coffee/end tables to create some truly one-of-a-kind pieces, again with a "Band-aid" or two in just the right places. I gain great satisfaction in creating beautiful things.
Just may be one of the most unique pieces of wood I’ve ever gotten my hands on. Tamarisk Burl from the Grand Valley of Colorado. Buddy who gave me the first piece said he’ll show me where to get more. We’ll see if he holds to his word. If so, there will be more of […]
This was unrecognizable when I started. Believe it is a Pinyon Burl. Came from the edge of a big burn pile where they were disposing of harvested tree “slash”. It was black but had just an interesting look. It also had a solid feel, so I decided to give it a try. Don’t know whether […]
Here is how I spent my day. This is how any one of my pieces starts out, generally a trip out of somewhere in the back of my truck. Everyone of these pieces (with the exception of 1) is a Cedar Burl to be used in table bases, lamps & what-ever else I can think […]
The ability to create beauty from less is a gift from God. The common eye will never see past the old wood & dingy rock to what could be. With all the distractions in life, the common heart will not invest the time required to see a project through. The artist, on the other-hand enjoys the journey when they make the decision to “Let’s see what happens”. I did not create the tree, or the stone, or the steel that makes the tools I work with. I just sprinkle in an idea with a little time, use what has been provided for me and create items that did not start out along the same path. May not have even started out in the same County. The journey is never straight but will reveal many things about your materials (and yourself).
- Where I am today
Most of you haven’t seen anything from me in a couple years. With aging parents and changes in life, we’ve moved 3 house-holds in 2 years. One of those moves created the need for me to build a new shop. I’ve missed the opportunity to play in the saw dust, and have all intention to do that in 2023. I’m still very proud to tell folks that I’m being carried in the Ago Gallery in Ouray, Colorado and plan to make all of thier Artist Fare’s this year that I can. While I’m behind right now, I still refuse to sacrifice quality for quantity. As long as I still find peace & beauty in what I do, I plan to do this for many more years.
I will continue to make pieces for my friends that I’m proud to say I make for them. It seems to work best if I shy away from the mass production mentality, and make pieces I’d be proud to see in my home.
Funny thing is, I just haven’t met all of my friends yet. Bet we’re friends and we just don’t know it yet! If you come across one of my pieces & it just calls to you, you’ll know we are friends. The piece was made for you.
Area 61 Sunset
God has been very good to me. He has given me a keen eye when it comes to wood & materials. He has given me the ability to see the potential in a piece long before it hits the bed of the truck and the patience to stay with a project until it’s right. He has given me the ability to create beauty out of firewood and stone. It was just a bonus that he allows me to live where I can find all of that (and more) outside my back door. It also hasn’t hurt that he has given me little fear when it comes to spinning objects and sharp tools.
A true craftsman has done his job when it makes you stop and want to touch it. I strive for this in every piece that I begin.
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