Wood artists shine at summer fairs

Intarsia with wood is described by local artist Marvin Benson as woodworking that doesn't involve making birdhouses or furniture. Instead, intarsia artists create pictures with wood, often using exotic hardwoods with unusual colors and grain patterns.

Benson is an accomplished intarsia artist who loves teaching others about this uncommon art form. He branched out this year to start an intarsia 4-H club, the Sisters Sawdusters, and the club is working at capacity with eight members ranging in age from 10 to 14 years.

Junnelle Hogen, 12, is the newest member, joining just after the Deschutes County Fair.

Benson usually has first-timers create a project with a duck as the subject.

"He let me do a more girlie project instead of a duck," said Junnelle. Her piece, depicting a dogwood flower, is composed of several different woods.

Junnelle's brother, Alexander, 14, is also a member and brought home several ribbons from the county and state fairs for his piece - a Kentucky long rifle and powder horn.

All the members came home from the county fair with blue ribbons, and several collected champion rosettes as well. Those exhibiting at the state fair brought home champion and reserve champion ribbons.

Benson said his group was the first 4-H club to exhibit intarsia work at the Deschutes County Fair, and he is hopeful that more budding wood artists will emerge throughout the county.

Ricky Miller, who successfully completed his duck, is now working on a much more involved project. It is an elk stag, standing proudly in the woods surveying his domain. The piece isn't just about the animal. Miller will also place plants around the stag.

Intarsia is a combination of puzzle making, wood working and choosing woods with colors that enhance the mood of the piece. Benson's technique is one in which the individual pieces are rounded on a sander, creating a more dimensional appearance. They are glued onto a backing board which ends up being an integral part of the piece. Many of the 4-H group used barn wood, though smaller pieces, such as Junnelle Hogen's, are mounted on exotics.

"Part of the fun is using the exotic woods," said Benson.

It's finished with satin-finish polyurethane so the color in the wood stays true.

The group works out of Benson's well-equipped workshop at the Sisters Airport. Although the 4-H club is at capacity, Benson is happy to work with adults interested in learning about intarsia. The club would also welcome donations of exotic wood to top up what they've used.

Contact Marvin Benson at 541-588-6212 or visit http://www.intarsiabymarvin.com.