Bill Walter

Artists Statement

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​​Wood is my preferred medium to express myself artistically. As a material it is extremely diverse and historically has been used in everything from construction, transportation, energy, manufacturing, to art. As a living organism with thousands of species growing under different conditions it affords an artist a life time of opportunities and discovery. I prefer to work with local wood from trees that have fallen as a result of storms or other natural reasons. My body of work include pieces that are functional, purely aesthetic, or a combination of both. I work primarily with green wood, but dried wood is preferable for some pieces. In addition to turning wood on the lathe I choose to embellish my work with carving texture, pyrography, and various paints or dyes. I am continually challenged by three dimensional work.

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We all know of artistic prodigies whose work stand out above the pack. I certainly do not put myself in that category. My path has been one of persistence over a long period of time reaching back to cherished memories in my father’s workshop where I started repurposing my wooden building blocks into various objects. After many years of being away from wood turning I kept an interest alive as I taught industrial arts to Middle School students in Spartanburg County. I stepped up the commitment to my artistic craft when I invested in a new lathe and incrementally developed additional skills through education and time at the lathe.

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Thanks to the AAW, American Association of Woodturners, and specifically to one of its many chapters, the Carolina Mountain Woodturners, for their mission to wood art education. Attending monthly demonstrations given by top artists in the field, taking classes under their supervision, as well as attending national conferences has given me insight into many techniques. I have been influenced by them all which reflects in my work. I am particularly grateful to the following artists I have studied under: John Jordan, Jacques Vassery, Liam O’neill, Chris Ramsey, Jim Duxberry, Al Stirt, Harvey Meyer, Tucker Garrison, Gramme Priddle, Betty Scarpino, J Paul Fennell, Molly Winton, Cynthia Gibson, Dixie Biggs, Stuart Mortimer, Ben Pho, Nick Agar, and Alan Leland. With information freely shared and the use of technology wood art has been experiencing a renaissance that is pushing the boundaries as never before. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this movement, and be able to share what I have learned with others.

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Bill Walter

Wood artist