Visiting artists Todd Hoyer and Hayley smith visited the wood shop at Arizona State University on Monday and Wednesday November 16 and 18.
They gave slide presentations, lectures and workshops. Having these artists here at the shop was a total radical experience. Having been in the MFA program for almost two years and having done my undergrad at the same school, our department had not had the opportunity to host such an event.
Todd Hoyer is a turning artist and focuses his work on organic forms, he has established a well known reputation as a turning artist. He now resides in Bisbee Arizona where he works and lives with his wife/artist Hayley Smith. Hayley is from the United Kingdom and is also a well established artist in the field of woodworking. The focus of her work is surface ornamentation. She uses the most ingenious tools to make texture on the surface of her pieces.
Both artists were able to interact with the students on a one to one basis. They talked about techniques and the usage of tools. They explained the turning process of selecting logs all the way up to gouging techniques to remove the material and finishing the surface.
It was a pleasure to be part of this experience. Having these artists here at ASU has been invaluable and I have learned a lot from them in their short visit. Todd left us his skills and knowledge of turning, while Hayley left us amazed at her texturing techniques of "watching grass grow". These amazing artists will go into our wall of fame at the ASU wood shop.
