Norman Ridenour, Teacher, Craftsman, Sculptor, Iconoclast, former Californian
Obsessive behavior; some drink, some play golf, others gamble, I create. Art or lessons, it
is all one. I must try to do better than what has been done before.
 |
 |
Art, the media is wood and the result is sculpture. In California, 1974-92 the main
focus was on furniture which transcended the idea of furniture into being sculpture.
Simultaneously and continuing to now is sculpture for its own sake. Currently added to
the mix is functional sculpture, objects to be used and fondled, then passed to the next
generation; bowls, vases, trays, plates and boxes turned on the lathe.
When I left the states, 19 years ago, I thought I had left this part of myself behind, not so.
There is just too much gorgeous wood laying around in The Czech Republic. I had to
start using it. As a teacher my world was words, I needed a tactile outlet for my energy
and sensuality. Back to working wood.
 |
 |
Seven years ago, after two sculpture exhibits in Prague, I bought a wood lathe and set out
to restart where I had left off at age 18. Now 1700 pieces later, I have the possible but
unlikely hope of being good enough to satisfy myself. In the meantime I do make some
quite lovely work. Every piece is an experiment, it is a dance between my internal vision
and what the block of wood wishes to yield up.
I get wood from all over the country; people I meet at markets, from students, or trees
we find while biking off road, they are all sources. Walnut, cherry, pear, ash, apple oak,
maple all go through the studio. All of it is salvaged; wind blown trees, trees being cut for
replanting or urban expansion. Every piece is rescued from the fireplace. I never cut a
tree just to get the wood.
Most of my sales are via local craft’s markets. It is an educational process as well as
selling because here wood is not considered a media for fine craft or art such as is glass
or ceramics. I need to open eyes so people can see wood as an aesthetic media. I find
the people who relate to the forms, colors and textures I generate. There is no discernible
demographic pattern, my clients just love wood, flowing forms and sensuous surfaces.
My customers become my fan club, coming back year after year, bringing the rest of the
family or their shopping list for the next holiday.
I ship all over the world. See, www.adorewoods.com or contact me at, norman-eng-
art@volny.cz. Send for a bi-monthly newsletter. Join the club.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
