How did you discover pyrography?
On a quiet Sunday afternoon in the village with nothing better to do, I took a stroll up to the Parish Rooms to browse around a craft show. There was a display of objects from painted eggs to rocking horses. I eventually came across the pyrography stall, and to my amazement, there was a woman ‘drawing on wood’! It was similar in effect to pen and ink, and I have often thought how lovely it would be to put a drawing onto an object, to give as a treasure, or even sell. The lady whose name I now know as Jo (another!) was helpful and must have been pleased to see somebody so excited about her craft! She shared with me her collection of books and showed me the basics.
Christmas 2001, after many hints, I received my Peter Child machine. I visited Roy Child’s workshop and must have looked like a child in a sweet shop! – Wood! Books! On arriving home with my new gadget and Stephen Poole’s book, The Complete Pyrography, I set to it! I followed the guidelines, practising the lessons on wooden spoons. These were inexpensive, so mistakes didn’t matter! I’m sure my family eventually lost their expectation of receiving their birthday and Xmas presents, as all they received was pyrography!
A friend invited me along to my first craft fair, so I gathered together my twenty finished items and a rickety paste table, and off I went. I must admit I was very nervous! It was a hot summer’s day, and I had no shade! However, a good day was had by all even though I came home with a sunburnt face!
I now regularly attend craft fairs and always find that they are very different both in income and attendance. Don’t be put off if your first fair is not too successful. You will learn what people like. I began selling larger items and found that you need to have ‘bread and butter’ goods, like keyrings, badges, and spoons. I have always found it hard to part with my work, as it becomes personal to me. Although I have now started to overcome this, it’s such a pleasure to see customers smiling at my work and reading the funny sayings on my keyrings. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard the words, “Oh look – today’s menu, two choices. Take it or leave it!” It always makes me giggle!
As I give a demonstration at shows, I love to see people looking on in admiration and also to hear their comments. Some of the most popular are: “How long does it take to dry?” and “Don’t buy anything, I’ve got a soldering iron in the garage”!!
Children’s school fetes are always a joy to attend, but you have to make sure that you’re ready for the onslaught! I have often sat burning solidly for two hours, adding names to door plaques. Once one’s got one, they all want one! eBay has also been a valuable tool for me. Along with being able to sell my work, I now reach a wider audience, from America to Canada, Europe to Australia. I enjoy receiving private commissions and love to work with customers to fulfil their ideas. I became a member of The Guild Of Essex Craftsmen, had work published in a book called Project Wood, had my photo in the local newspaper, and was commissioned to make the awards for Surrey Docks Dragon Boat Racing, in 2003. It’s been a worthwhile venture. I continue to enjoy it, which is always a bonus!
Question time
Q01. What was the first pyrograph you remember doing?
A01. After first learning the basics of pyrography, I seem to remember burning trees. Trees have always been my favourite things to doodle.
Q02. What inspires you?
A02. I am inspired by nature and wildlife. I also love colours and textures.
Q03. What’s your favourite colour?
A04. My favourite colour varies from day to day. Purple has always been my favourite, although now as I’ve got a little older I am developing a passion for shades of green.
Q04. Who are your favourite artists?
A04. I have many favourite artists but the ones that come directly to mind as I write this are Arthur Rackham and Winsor McCabe for illustration, Velasquez and Durer for fine art and the wonderful Anthony Gormley for sculpture.
Q05. Where do you get your picture references from?
A05. I am forever collecting pictures and postcards, I now have quite a vast resource of reference material.
Q06. Do you ever have artist’s block?
A06. Occasionally I will get stumped. If this is the case I just take a break, it’s amazing what will happen after you have left your work for a while. It helps you to re-look at your work with a fresh pair of eyes.
Q07. Do you have good eyesight?
A07. No, I don’t! I am very short-sighted and can hardly see out of my left eye (a condition I was born with). However, this has never hindered me in fact I think that it is the opposite! I am quite sure that my myopia has helped me to achieve such detailed work, as when I was a child I was too vain to wear my specs and so used to draw with my nose almost touching the paper!
Q08. Were you good at art at school?
A08. I loved art at school, in fact, pottery was my favourite medium, I think I’ll have to pursue it again sometime in the future!
Q09. What’s your favourite type of work?
A09. I love to work from a customer’s commission ideas. It’s fantastic to be given a new project in which you are given free rein to create something new. I love to churn ideas through my brain until I come up with a composition.
Q10. How long does a pyrograph take?
A10. It all depends on the size and complexity of the piece. A pet portrait for example may take as long as a week as each individual hair is burnt.
