Introducing dimensional wood inlay (Intarsia) into a wood turned vessel adds a touch of animation to my sculptures. An artful composition which also showcases the innate beauty, color and diversity of richly figured wood grains found beneath the bark of our Canadian birch.

Because each tree presents its own personality with unique characteristics, pictorial interpretations emerge from the grain as a vessel is being shaped on the wood lathe. In keeping to the flora fauna theme, I then design and prepare an intarsia motif specifically suited to that form.

While it is essential to coordinate wood grains with color tones, diligence is also required as each individual inlay piece is cut precisely to ensure a flawless fit. Once contoured, sanded and varnished, these pieces are assembled then meticulously incorporated into the vessel.

These one of a kind artworks generally secure anywhere from 120 - 450 solid hours. Yet watching the transformation, beginning with that block of birch originally intended for the fireplace, to the success of a dynamic, eye catching sculpture, is always exhilarating and gratifying.

As a wood artist, I readily welcome opportunities to experiment with shapes, develop new techniques and apply original ideas. Birch provides this limitless potential for continually stimulating my imagination, further refining my signature style of wood turned art, skillfully and creatively.

Thank you for your interest, and for visiting my website.

Heidi Rupprecht
Woodturning artist