Category: 2018 Demonstrating Artists

Hand made windsor chairs,   using the same types of tools , woods and finish.  all signed and labeled ,   all chairs are guaranteed  ,  all wood is hand split and worked with draw knife , spoke shave , hand planes, spoon bits ,etc ,  one of the most authentic hand made chair made today.

Working over wooden molds, in the method of the Shakers, my baskets are traditional in shape and materials. I weave both Shaker reproductions in ash and traditional, utilitarian baskets of reed. Native hardwoods such as ash and oak are used to make the rims and handles, and all of my baskets are lashed using ash. Each basket takes on its own character as it is woven in a quadrifoil, twill or fancy lace pattern to appeal to both eye and touch.

Barb Wagaman-Donough and Bob Donough design and create wooden game boards in Lancaster Co. Pa. Ridge Hollow Game Boards began in 1986, due to both an interest in playing game boards and a passion for the history and design of antique game boards.
Barb earned a BA degree in Fine Arts/Design in 1977. Her painting is greatly influenced by her Pennsylvania German heritage. Bob is a skilled stone mason and wood worker and appreciates the craftsmanship of colonial game boards.

Each board is handcrafted and hand-painted on wood, using milk paints, acrylics or oils. The game is antiqued and varnished. Antique reproductions represent those that were simple and homemade and others by skilled carriage and sign makers Folk art designs are Barb’s original designs.

Demonstrations include painting of a game board and the history of board games, particularly those played in colonial America. Clay marbles can be made and one or more games are set up for children of all ages to play.

Weathervanes, whirligigs and trade signs are as varied as the subject matter they represent. One hundred plus year old heart pine salvaged from out buildings and barns built during the 19th century from the upstate New York area are used in creating my work. I also incorporate antique copper, tin and iron into my work. I use chisels, draw knives, handsaws and carving knives to handcraft my pieces. Buttermilk paint, which was widely used in early America after 1800, is the most accurate historical choice for completing my objects. The rural folk artist would craft paint from various milk derivatives and a combination of earthen ingredients resulting in paint adaptable to use on their handcrafted weathervanes, whirligigs and trade signs. In my painting style, I try to reproduce an as-found original interpretation of the object by applying the buttermilk paint in numerous layers and then using techniques to age the finish and cause discoloration.

I work in an individual studio where I use hardwoods and laminations of hardwoods to make the items.  The baskets are a spiral cut,burls are bevel cuts, and shapes are individual bevel cut done on a band saw.

These hand-hewn & turned wood bowls are layered with oil glazes, gilding, & intricately hand-painted design. Influences stem from the arts of japanning and laquerware, as well as chinoisere design. Demonstrations will include gilding and painting on bowls. The handmade longbows are a contemporary version of a traditional longbow, and are made from north american hardwoods. They vary in draw-weight from 25 lbs to 55 lbs for use by youth and adult archers. The quivers are hand cut and sewn from leather, and the arrows are handmade of cedar shafts and turkey feathers. Demonstrations will illustrate the art of shaping and applying leather grips to bow handles and hand- sewing leather quivers.

We begin with logs, mill them to specific thicknesses, air dry it then bring it to our shop to begin the creation process.  We use only WV hardwoods, cherry, maple beech and birch are the main woods we use.  We have over 180 items in our kitchen ware line.  Starting with patterns we trace onto our boards, we then band saw these out.  We use router, hand gouges, combination sanders and a lot of elbow grease to create our treenware.  Our items are found across the country in gift shops and also on the Food notwork being used by popular chef, Damaris Phillips.  We attend a small number of shows a year so we can stay connected to our loyal followers.  We enjoy our lifestyle greatly and appreciate our success.  Without a doubt we are truly blessed.

I create hand carved wooden sculptures, inspired by the past. Carvings range from holiday, historic, to sometimes a bit odd.  All work is carved from basswood and painted using a multi layered antique finish.