Ian Payne MSDC

Ian Payne came to the craft of woodturning very much as a retirement project and he wasn't at all sure at the start where it would take him. Prior to that, he spent quite a few years learning about 3D design through silversmithing with a view to continuing with that when he retired. However, for a variety of reasons this never happened.

The first few years of woodturning for Ian were all about experimentation and learning, eventually arriving at a set of designs and techniques that he incorporates in his signature shapes and forms.

He likes to use techniques such as beading, ebonising and lime waxing in his turnings. Beading increases the tactile nature of the pieces, though some of it isn’t always visible, for example on the base of all his bowls.

Ian uses traditional techniques for ebonising high tannin content wood, such as Cherry, Oak and Sapele to create contrast and sharp lines. He enhances open grained wood by using lime wax. Combining both techniques gives an even more striking effect.

His product range includes bowls, tall forms and loose lidded boxes which all feature an element of the techniques mentioned and can be varied according to any commissions.

Notable purchase

• 2023 - Spalted Hornbeam platter and Burr Elm box with spalted Beech loose fitting lid - Coronation present, Royal Household

Galleries

• Dansell Contemporary Wood Gallery, Abbotsbury, Dorset

CV

• 2004 to 2010 - 3D design within silversmithing with Pruden and Smith Silversmiths, Ditchling, East Sussex
• 2021 onwards - tutelage by Kevin Hutson (Register of Professional Turners and Member of the Society of Designer Craftsmen)

Memberships

• Find a Maker by Craft Festival
• The Association of Sussex Artists
• The Association of Woodturners of Great Britain

Future exhibitions in 2025

• November - Christmas at The Weald and Downland Living Museum - Singleton, West Sussex
• November to January - Under the Tree - MAKE Southwest - Bovey Tracey, Devon

Past exhibitions

• November 2025 - Lustre - Lakeside Arts, University Park, Nottingham
• October 2025 - Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair - Victoria Baths, Manchester
• June 2025 - Craft Festival - Bovey Tracey, Devon
• June 2025 - Association of Sussex Artists Spring Exhibition - Parham House, West Sussex
• March 2025 - StartUP, Craft Festival - Cheltenham
• August 2024 - Association of Sussex Artists Summer Exhibition - Horsham, West Sussex
• June 2024 - StartUP, Craft Festival - Bovey Tracey, Devon
• May 2024 - Association of Sussex Artists Spring Exhibition - Parham House, West Sussex