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"One Spirit, after BA Roberts" Inevitably this was the first picture I chose. It is a fantastic piece of work and (so far) the only picture from the Group to win the Marquetry Society's highest award - the Rose Bowl. John invested around eighteen month's work in this piece and had innumerable discussions with Group members over veneer selection and techniques to achieve the desired result. I suspect we all like to think we made a tiny contribution to the finished result! |
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"Early Morning Milk" Another picture that "chose itself" for my selection. Despite only being Brian's fourth picture this is, quite simply, the best example of fragmentation I have ever seen. But it is not all "embroidery in wood" (as some detractors of the technique refer to it). The veneer selection is excellent, especially for elements like the rutted farm track and the thatched roofs, and there is exceptional detail throughout. |
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"Paco Rabanne" This was the first Group picture to win its class - the Junior class in 1996. Jesse had already worked on the design in schoolwork, reducing the original photograph (from an after-shave advertisement - hence the title) to five shades of grey. It was therefore a fairly simple step to substitute five well-contrasted veneers. Jesse added strength to the design by keeping all the grain direction consistent thoughout - a bold and unusual step for any marquetry picture - and did not shy away from using the dramatic, but hard to cut, ebony veneer. |
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"Book of Botany" An inventive piece of applied work which deservedly won an award at the 1999 National Exhibition. Derrick's interpretation, not only of the pages from a floral reference book but of the book itself, should serve to encourage us all to think more widely about our work and subject matter. The bookmark cord is a finishing masterstroke!
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"Moonlight" A delicate picture which Zoë made for our "Tree" competition in 1998. Clever positioning of the freijo background veneer produces a natural horizon which is brought out by the reflections and the position of the boat. Adjusting the cutting of the moon to match the darker figure in the background gives the effect of wispy clouds and adds great atmosphere to the picture. |
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"Document Box" This is everything that an applied piece should be: The relative proportions of the Louis-cube elements, the central lozenge, and the hand-made borders, combine to produce a stunningly "clean" and beautiful box. |
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"Canal Scene" Douglas spent many months working on this lovely picture of a classic Staffordshire scene and demonstrated great skill in veneer selection. It was exhibited at the Eccleshall Show and I felt it was unlucky to receive only a Highly Commended certificate. However Douglas did receive the award for "Best Newcomer" to the show. |
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"Stag Table" I think Evelyn thought it would be a simple job to put a few pieces of veneer onto an old table to brighten it up. However we had other ideas and persuaded her to utilise this fine stag which she had nearly finished cutting and to combine it with some ambitious star-burst panelling. The result is an eye-catching and functional table which I can envisage being set-off by a "nightcap" in a crystal glass! |
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"Summer Bouquet" At the time, this was one of the most ambitious pictures tackled by any of our members. I remember being a little concerned that the pomelle background veneer would be too dark, but as the various shades were added for the flowers it was soon clear that Doreen had everything under control. The reflective properties of willow veneer are skilfully used to produce very effective and realistic roses. |
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"Spode Picture" Once we had decided to host the 1999 National Exhibition, and selected Spode as the venue, the Group agreed to work on a picture to present to Spode to 'leave our mark.' We needed a design that could be cut in small sections in order to spread the workload! We selected a central design from a drawing by Harold Holdway, much used in Spode's promotional material, and added a selection of "back-stamps" used by Spode in the early 19th century. Many members participated in the picture's construction and the success of the project led to several more collaborative efforts. The picture was presented to the then MD of Spode, Paul Wood, by the Lord Mayor of the City of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Kath Banks, at the opening of the exhibition. It now hangs in the Conference Room at Spode. |
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