Encased in woooood: Day 9

While I could work through the artists alphabetically, or in some sensible order, I'm going rogue and abandoning logic to nestle into the familiar. Here in Kane, there is no shortage of wood. Logging is a huge business around here that provides for quite a few residents.

At Art in the Wilds, we have some familiar artists that look at all the woodland around us and see more than lumber.

Jack Northrop, who has called Kane home for 22 years, creates some of the most naturally aesthetical tableware I've seen. He has a talent for keeping the characteristics of his medium intact as they are turned into practical objects. Bowls, platters, and other vessels are his specialty. He also gets his wood locally (as he should!) utilizing the area's famous Black Cherry wood, as well as walnut, maple, and more!

Hailing from Harmony, Pennsylvania, is AIW's well-known "Spooner" Gregg Kristophel! This gentleman went from being a full-time carpenter to delving into the world of treenware back in 1985. He and his family took part in several French & Indian War Period events as treenware sutlers. Now a days, ​Gregg and his son Jake, his apprentice, continue with this old-time craft making their unique spoons and vessels! These are an absolutely fantastic addition to your home or even for the bushcraft types looking for something to stir stews and pour some pine needle tea into.

Last, but never least, Robert Vrboncic from nearby Marienville, Pennsylvania. These woodworks are a feast for the eyes and the mind all while you're stowing away from precious items or prepping a meal. His specialty is 3D cutting boards and exotic wood boxes. As an avid home cook myself, I know the value of a great, reliable, long-lasting cutting board. Getting all of that along with the benefit of a beautiful piece of art is a huge bonus! You can rest assured, as well, that these are finished with food-safe mineral oil and carnauba wax. As for the jewelry boxes, they are polished to a beautiful shine and finished with lacquer so all of the natural aspects of the woods stand out.

All three artists have been at Art in the Wilds before so if you happened to have put something on your mental Wishlist for 'next year', now is the year to pop back in and get that next great wooden treasure!