Nicholas Rowe MSDC
Wood Carving & Turning
Based at his studio Nicholas continues to develop his artistic woodturning practice, actively sourcing green (wet), seasoned and reclaimed wood locally. To expand the variety of shapes and sizes of his work, he has progressed his tool skills and invested in training and new equipment. In 2022 he felt capable enough to began giving demonstrations to local woodturning clubs, sharing the knowledge and experiences he has gained, as well as meeting more turners. He continues to refine his surface finishes that have already been highly acknowledged.
With enhanced abilities he has begun to generate work with increased aesthetic impact, while retaining the material sensitive philosophy he first conceived during his BA (Hons) 3D Design and Craft Degree. Uninterested in copying some of the contemporary trends he follows his own path. Drawing inspiration from the bark, grain, imperfections and distinctive features, he decides initially what form enables the best appreciation of the natural material’s visual and tactile qualities. Sometimes he is pleasantly surprised by externally invisible voids, cracks, Spalting lines or ripples in the grain that reveal themselves during turning, often inducing him to alter the final form respectfully.
Nicholas is continually developing the variety of skills required to overcome challenges posed by unique features that others might shy away from. Retaining the central growth rings can be highly risky as they often spilt when the wet wood is gradually air-dried; they document the life history of the tree. Additionally knots require the considered application of multiple tools to cut the torn fibres cleanly, creating interestingly distorted grain patterns.
Taking great care he sometimes purchases less evocatively charged woods from commercial sources but finds it very fulfilling working with local beautiful woods obtained first hand. He sometimes turns reclaimed or gifted exotic woods such as Jarrah fence posts and Milo table legs, which bring their own specific challenges not found in his usual wood stocks.
Finished pieces in seasoned wood can be created within days, however when turning green (wet) wood Nicholas can choose where and what features to include. He leaves the initial rough shape thicker to compensate for the natural changes over the 8 to 18 months air-drying period. To minimise cracking and failures he carefully controls this process and only when satisfied the moisture content is low enough he re-turns and finishes the piece.
Nicholas hopes to imbue additional longevity to a piece by permanently marking the name of the wood and its growing place underneath. Turning a client’s treasured wood brings additional responsibilities as the piece resonates stronger and is valued greater.
Professional Memberships
Member (MSDC) Society Designer Craftsman
Member of the Colchester Art Society (CAS)
Collective Member at The Handmade Shop & Gallery
Member of Association of Woodturners of Great Britain (AWGB)
Member of two Essex & Suffolk Woodturners Clubs affiliated/associated to the AWGB
Artist Tenant (Studio Holder) at Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex
Education
BA (Hons) Art and Design 3D Design & Craft Degree
(Colchester School of Art & Design/University of Essex)
Awards & Accolades
Woodturning Magazine introduced me to their worldwide readership in a 6 page feature in September 2023 (no.387) issue by guest editor Andy Coates.
Colchester Art Society Christmas Online Exhibition 2020 - My Huge Yew Tree was chosen for the Poster.
Colchester Art Society Open Summer Exhibition 2018 - Third Prize
Graduate Award Scholarship 2015 from Colchester School of Art & Design/Cuckoo Farm Studios
Commissions
Pieces created from treasured trees or designed with a specified function and/or a particular wood.
Recent undertakings can be seen in my gallery of images above, the gallery on my Cuckoo Farm Studios Artist's profile and occasionally on my social media Twitter account @RowzoMaker.
Demonstrations
I demonstrate throughout the year to woodturning clubs with in a 50 ish* mile radius of Colchester, Essex. *This is due to logistical reasons.
Please enquire to book an evening, morning/afternoon or all day demonstration. More information can be read on my January 2024 MailChimp newsletter.
EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS in 2024 -
Keep an eye here as they appear... (updated 12/02/24)
Anglian Arts Project - organised by Graham Bell and Sally Pudney
At St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Road, Little Bentley CO7 8SE.
Open 10:30 - 4:30pm on Thursday 16th to Sunday 19th May 2024.
The exhibitors will be:
Shaun Hall: Raku Pottery
Anna Osborne (The Speculating Rook): printed and embroidered textiles
Sarah Woodcock (Hopton Leather): Leatherwork
Neville Tatum: Slipware Pottery
Jane Mitchell Finch: Free Machine Embroidery
Nicholas Rowe: Woodturning
Ed Mitchell Finch: Letter Press Printing
Sally Pudney: Landscape Painting
Open Studios - the annual event returns
at Cuckoo Farm Studios, Boxted Road, Colchester, CO4 5HH.
11am - 5pm Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th September 2024.
The annual event will see around 30 Studio Holders opening their doors to the public, I will be once again at home in my gazebo, exhibition of CFS Associate Members work in the Benham Gallery, grounds, refreshments and activities.
Coinciding again with the Heritage One Days, further events, exhibitions, talks, demonstrations and workshops TBC.
Autumn Exhibition 2024
at The Geedon Gallery
Further details will be released nearer the time.
The Geedon Gallery, Jaggers, Fingringhoe, Colchester, Essex, CO5 7 DN.
01206 729 334 / 07901 918 046
More to be announced soon...
STOCKISTS -
The Handmade Shop and Gallery - 77a St Johns Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1SQ.
Artisan Alchemy - 84 Caroline Street, Birmingham, B3 1UP.
Art at Home (Kath&Company) - online or during events at 13 Sion Road, Twickenham, TW1 3DR.
Direct from my Studio at Cuckoo Farm Studios - Boxted Road, Colchester, CO4 5HH. By Appointment Only.
Send an enquiry to rowzo@tiscali.co.uk and I'd be happy to discuss any queries or commissions.
PAST EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS UNDERTAKEN -
In 2023
Winter Exhibition by Colchester Art Society in the Benham Gallery, Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex Group
CFS Presents by Cuckoo Farm Studios in the Benham Gallery and Barn Foyer, Colchester, Essex Group
Autumn Exhibition (Artists of today and tomorrow) at the Geedon Gallery, Fingringhoe, Colchester, Essex Group
Open Studios at Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex
Summer Exhibition by Colchester Art Society at old Bank Studios, Harwich, Essex Group
Working landscapes at Art at Home, Twickenham, London Group
Salvage in The Benham Gallery, Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex Group
Art in Paint and Wood at The Sentinel Gallery, Wivenhoe, Colchester, Essex Duo
Spring Exhibition at the Geedon Gallery, Fingringhoe, Colchester, Essex Group
Spring Exhibition by Colchester Art Society at The Benham Gallery, Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex Group
In 2022
Presents with Provenance at Art At Home, Twickenham, London Group
Christmas Present by the Colchester Art Society at Artspace, Woodbridge, Suffolk Group
Open Studios at Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex
Summer Online Exhibition by the Colchester Art Society Virtual
Power of The Line at The Benham Gallery at Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex Group
Transformations by the Society of Designer Craftsmen at the Bankside Gallery, London Group
30@30 exhibition at The Benham Gallery at Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex Group
In 2021
Open Studios 'Outside' 2021 at Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex
Summer Online Exhibition by the Colchester Art Society Virtual
In 2020
3rd Virtual Exhibition by NewArtForYou Virtual
Christmas Online Exhibition by the Colchester Arts Society Virtual - My Tree was chosen for the poster & sold
Winter Wonders Christmas Collection at The Jessica Muir Gallery, Long Melford, Suffolk
Christmas Kaleidoscope 2020 at The Sentinel Gallery, Wivenhoe, Essex
Guest Artist for November & December 2020 at The Handmade Shop & Gallery, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
2nd Virtual Exhibition by NewArtForYou Virtual
1st Virtual Exhibition by NewArtForYou Virtual
Summer Exhibition Online by the Colchester Art Society Virtual
- Coronavirus (Covid-19) effected the UK & World mid March 2020 -
Guest Artist for March 2020 at The Handmade Shop and Gallery, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
In 2019
Winter Exhibition, by Colchester Art Society, at The Minories Gallery, Colchester, Essex
Christmas Kaleidoscope at The Sentinel Gallery, Wivenhoe, Essex
The Minories Christmas Market at The Minories Gallery, Colchester, Essex
Winter Wonders Christmas Collection at The Jessica Muir Gallery, Long Melford, Suffolk
Open Studios at Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex
Polstead Exhibition, Maria Martins Cottage, Polstead, Suffolk
Summer Exhibition, The Naze Tower, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex
Summer Exhibition, by Colchester Art Society at The Minories Gallery, Colchester, Essex
Art in Wood & in Paint, The Sentinel Gallery, Wivenhoe, Essex Duo
In 2018
Winter Exhibition, by Colchester Art Society at The Minories Gallery, Colchester, Essex
The Minories Christmas Market at The Minories Gallery, Colchester, Essex
Winter Wonders Christmas Collection at The Jessica Muir Gallery, Long Melford, Suffolk
Flying The Nest Exhibition, Open Arts Space, The Sentinel Gallery, Wivenhoe, Essex
Open Studios at Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex
Open Summer Exhibition, by Colchester Art Society at The Minories Gallery, Colchester, Essex
In 2017
The Minories Christmas Market at The Minories Gallery, Colchester, Essex
Autumn Exhibition, The Naze Tower, Walton on the Naze, Essex
Open Studios at Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex
Back Catalogue Exhibition, The Benham Gallery, Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex
In 2016
Wood Turned Exhibition, The Minories Gallery, Colchester, Essex Solo
Open Studios at Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex
Outside 16 Exhibition, Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex
Designer Crafts at the Mall, Society of Designer Craftsmen Exhibition, The Mall Galleries, London
First Cuckoo of Spring Exhibition, The Benham Gallery, Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex
In 2015
Christmas Kaleidoscope, The Sentinel Gallery, Wivenhoe, Essex
New Designers, Business Design Centre, London
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