Читать книгу Yearn to Burn: A Pyrography Master Class - Simon Easton - Страница 5

Simon Easton studied a BA (Hons) Three-Dimensional Design degree at Manchester Metropolitan University, where he focused on woodturning, silversmithing, and pewterware. His pewter napkin ring set was one of the MMU winners of the Pewter Live 1999 competition and was displayed at Pewterers’ Hall in London. He won a Precious Metals Bursary and a Grant from the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths to produce design concepts that he had developed. The common theme in Simon’s work at university was a decorative and textural feel, often rich in embellishment or pattern.

Before graduating in 2000, Simon’s design for a decorative turned wooden bowl was selected for inclusion in the onetree project. This project, which toured the UK as an exhibition, stemmed from the use of one single ailing oak tree distributed to a range of artists, designers, manufacturers, and craftspeople. Every single part of the tree (from the leaves to roots) was used to create a stirring and diverse display of talent, which was also featured in a book published to accompany the tour. For the onetree exhibition, Simon created a decorative turned wooden bowl with a spun pewter insert, entitled “Wish, Hope, Dream, Everything.”

Simon’s crafting focus and love of wood led him to the art of pyrography, which he uses with a contemporary twist to create richly decorative items and gifts. The result is a diverse and exciting body of work released since 2007 under his business name of Wood Tattoos. He has created a varied range of works and commissions, regularly selling at craft fairs and galleries and accepting custom orders at www.WoodTattoos.com. He has also actively sought to help up-and-coming newcomers to the craft through demonstration events and online forums.

Simon is the author of Woodburning with Style (2010) and Learn to Burn (2013). The former is a comprehensive guide to the art of pyrography from start to finish, while the latter is a book of projects designed to help beginners build their confidence and abilities. Both books have received positive feedback from readers around the world. In February 2018, Simon also appeared live on UK television to spread awareness of pyrography as a craft, demonstrating during a feature and interview on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch.

You can keep up to date with his latest designs through his regular social media updates at www.facebook.com/woodtattoos or www.instagram.com/wood_tattoos.