KELSEYVILLE — With a studio in Kelseyville, named “Tourne Lingnan” (meaning turned wood), George Waterstraat creates works of art out of Lake County wood. Waterstraat was the winner of the 2011 Stars of Lake County Professional Arts Award.
Waterstraat”s work is considered woodturning, which is taking a piece of wood and putting it on a lathe, which holds and turns the wood, and using different tools to create unique vases, bowls, etc.
What Waterstraat adds to the basic process is the difference between a mass-produced wooden bowl or vase and a work of art.
According to Waterstraat, steps that contribute to making each piece individual, unique and set it apart as a work of art include selecting the right wood with the right grain and markings, designing a piece to enhance the individual piece of wood, utilizing techniques such as metal patination (which is metal leaf applied to wood), bleaching and dying wood.
Waterstraat said that woodturning comes naturally to him as his father and uncles carved wood extensively.
Waterstraat was introduced to the art of woodturning as he looked for a hobby more than 20 years ago. Waterstraat started learning the craft, taking a class at a store that gives lessons to woodworkers. He said he was hooked when he was able to make beautiful ballpoint pens out of wood in one sitting and give them to his family and friends as gifts. Waterstraat then invested in a lathe and more specialized tools and equipment that allows him to create an extensive array of wood art.
Waterstraat has a supplier who takes down unwanted trees, whether dangerous limbs or fire damaged, or trees being removed from an orchard to be replanted. He then goes out to the area it is being removed from, selects the best chain saws pieces that will fit in his truck. He then brings the wood back to his studio to further cut and select pieces for different projects.
Waterstraat uses wood from the Lake County area: walnut, maple, redwood and Bay Laurel. His favorites are redwood, especially redwood and maple burls. Waterstraat said these are both very stable woods for use in woodturning.
Waterstraat met and was mentored by two men who influenced him to continue his study and the craft of woodturning. Francisco Bauer of Chicago taught him some basic woodturning skills. Mike Jackofsky of San Diego taught him how to enhance his work. Waterstraat said that without them, he would not be creating the caliber of work that he does.
Waterstraat further develops and enhances his skills by attending classes in Provo, Utah every year, which are attended by woodturners around the world. These classes review advanced techniques on hollowing, shaping and embellishing wood pieces.
In addition to receiving the Stars of Lake County award, Waterstraat also exhibited his work and received awards from both the Redwood Empire Fair in Ukiah as well as the Lake County Fair.
Waterstraat has donated many of his works of arts to local organizations for their charity auctions. He is a member and past president of the Redwood Empire Woodturners, which encompasses membership from both Mendicino and Lake counties. His work is displayed from time to time at the Main Street Gallery in Lakeport and the Saw Shop in Kelseyville. For more information or to tour Waterstraat”s studio, contact him at 245-4730.
