For over twenty years, I have created wooden fine art. Each raw piece is a blank canvas. I believe in the purity of the natural wood colorations, so I never add artificial dyes. At most, I inlay turquoise stones or create an epoxy casting with the wood, only to improve its stunning appearance for pure artistic value.
My work has displayed in the Kemper Gallery of Contemporary Art, the Jones Gallery, and the Hallar Gallery of Fine Art near the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City. I have been part of the Westport Art Festival, five “First Friday Art Shows” in the Crossroads District of Kansas City, and at shows in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Colorado. I contribute to different not-for-profit causes, offer pieces online, and have been showcased in numerous art galleries and funeral homes. Now I am growing this small online business to service families needing original handmade urns.
My creative style combines complimenting and contrasting wood colors and grain patterns in what is called "layering." Everything I turn is 100% natural. Each art piece is one-of-a-kind, and as close to perfect as is humanly possible by a Master Woodturner.
My truest passion is woodturning.
I have over 200 urns, with 40 currently posted online.
Stock rotated monthly.
Woodturning is my favorite expression of art. Originally, I started turning because of a beautiful red-head. The more I made for her, the more she kissed me. When each of my three sons was five years old, we put on goggles, a face mask and gloves, then they inspired me to work on the lathe. We all loved it, and occasionally still turn wood together even today.
I'm an active member of the Kansas City Woodworkers Guild and the American Association of Woodworkers. I have been mentored by numerous Master Woodturners. In turn, I have also worked with numerous others in the processes of woodturning and in specific techniques. We all share our knowledge and skills.
These experiences inspire me enormously. I believe the Angels are with me while I work. After 20+ years, I still have every part of all my fingers (knock-on-wood).
My heart is in every piece, and I believe it shows.
First, I imagine it, just like everything in life. What the wood block can become drives everything.
Second, hand-pick and bond together the exact right woods, making sure the grain patterns are all inline.
Third, I secure it on the lathe and turn it, cutting away what isn't art. Many times I stop to add epoxy to the bark or burl knots.
Fourth, inlaying turquoise requires extra patience and cussing, so I watch a movie or football game and take my time.
Fifth, sanding off all the edges is boring and takes forever, but it's the real labor of every project.
Sixth, I use a high friction polish made of shellac and bee's wax blend, burnishing it into the wood for a perfect finish.
Finally, I remove the art work from its chuck, sand and complete the base, and sign it. Each one is a piece of my life, from the once live tree.
You can't rush art.
At Fine Art Wooden Urns, I am committed to providing one-of-a-kind handmade cremation urns to families in their time of need. Every family deserves to say goodbye to their loved one with dignity. I make this possible by offering pre-need order discounts, payment plans, service worker and military discount.
I am always available to answer questions and help you find or create your perfect Fine Art Wooden Urn. Contact me today to get started.
Open today | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm |
David Farquhar, Master Woodturner
Fine Art Wooden Urns
Olathe, Kansas 66062