Joseph Devinny
Turned Wood
ARTIST STATEMENT:
For 35 years I was professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Southern California. During that time, I was always interested in art and was pursuing woodturning as a hobby. As I transitioned first to part-time work at the university, and then to retirement, I was able to spend more time on woodturning, and to develop skills in other crafts. I learned stained glass, fused glass, and took several classes in painting at Long Beach City College.
My first success was with the paintings. My choice of subjects was heavily influenced by my long standing concern for the environment—many of the paintings are of birds and animals. The work, was stylized, using the strong outlines favored by the impressionists, and at times, the dot and line decorations of the Aborigine folk painters of Australia. My compositions and creations tend to be simple, but with strong colors and outlines. My painting is not technically sophisticated, but seeks to provide an original style and a particular point of view.
The mechanical aspect of woodturning comes easily to someone with engineering training—it requires an ability to conceive and design complex objects in three dimensions and familiarity with measurement and machinery. At the same time, it clearly requires artistic creativity. A bowl must be a pleasing sculptural composition effectively melded with the figure of the wood as well as being smoothly finished.
I have lately been using my abilities with painting and fused glass in combination with the woodturning. The earth-tone colors and fluid shape of wood grain is, of course, a great part of the artistic value of turned forms. But it is valuable to add the contrasting glossy brilliance and unlimited color palate of glass and other materials. I feel that some of my wood and glass pieces are among my most attractive and original works.
To purchase call: 310-991-7144 or e-mail gabrielle.artistsstudio.pvac@gmail.com
