Success Stories | Artist Within 
| Unique Gifts, Custom Guitars, and Commissioned Works |  
Gallery Biography 

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I can hardly recall a time in my life when I was not interested in working with wood. My family lived on a farm in Guelph Township, when I was five or six, and it was there that I first realized my creative self. 

I had come upon a large pile of lumber cut-offs near the barn where some renovations were taking place and knew that this was a windfall not to be passed up. After a furtive glance toward the barn, I scooped the nearest two pieces, and scurried back to the house in search of my dad's hammer and nail supply. After much serious work, these two pieces of wood were transformed into, at least in the imagination of a little boy, the very best tractor and bailer for which one could ever wish.

In a more sophisticated manner, my Aunt Irene Pelletier, my mother's sister who lived and was deeply involved in the arts scene in Langley B.C. became my artistic mentor.  She was an accomplished artist in a number of media and her influence instilled in me a passion for drawing and design.  She remained my closest artistic companion until her passing in 1999.

I studied architecture in both high school and college. This instilled in me a strong sense of "form, shape and mass", the use of space and balance, attention to every viewpoint. I try to explore all possibilities by thinking "out of the box". My 25 year engineering background, however, keeps the design and construction within realistic parameters. 

My repertoire now includes decorative marquetry boxes, music boxes, bowl, clocks, trays, wall hangings, furniture, sculpture and electric guitars. They are of interest to collectors, interior designers, and anyone wanting unique, high quality handcrafted items. 

The Guild Shop
Toronto, ON

Success Stories [back to top] 

Fortunately, I've had many satisfying successes - too many to list. From a small piece of religious work ordered by a young woman for her fiancé to a spiritually symbolic box for a favorite  musician, the reactions of my clients to the final work is really what determines my sense of success.  Some glow with appreciation, some have wept with joy.  Honest, from the heart reactions cannot be hidden.

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Artist Within [back to top] 

 As a woodworker and as an artist, I test the limits of what I can do with my media.  Bending wood and forming laminate curves to enclose space are two of my favorite ways to entice the viewer or the collector.  It is important to me that I create pieces of work that are not just functional but distinctive and intriguing as well.  To this end, every one of my creations is given individual thought and attention from initial concept to final finish.

Because nature always knows best, I let the wood show it's true colors for my unique gifts, custom electric guitars, and handcrafted, marquetry items. I don't use stain, and prefer instead to blend woods to provide interesting and unusual contrasts and compliments. To reinforce the unique nature to my work, I title all pieces and include a series number and date. As with all artists, I sign each piece.

My collectibles and commissioned works are collected by galleries, interior designers and make unique gifts for corporate and personal gifts.

Whether I am creating a one-off piece or a limited series run, each item is given individual and attention from initial concept to the final hand-rubbed finish. Given the nature of wood and my intrinsic need
to always "try something different", each piece of work ends up quite unique. 

I am currently Chairing, for the third year, the Guelph Studio Tour.  A collective of artists and crafts people in Guelph, Ontario.  The Studio Tour holds an annual fall exhibition weekend in and around down town Guelph the weekend after the Canadian Thanks Giving.  Please check out www.guelphstudiotour.ca for our current cast of members and event dates.  Also have a look at another great website: www.guelpharts.ca

I am also a musician and this is one reason why I make and repair musical instruments.  I routinely perform and record with a number of musicians using my own guitars and electric upright bass.  Please check out my trio, Ganache at www.ganachemusic.com.

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"Atkinson employs a

 wide range of exotic

 woods, including

 ebonized pear,

 zebrawood, wenge,

 purpleheart and

 Spanish cedar."

The Ontario 
Craft Newsletter

Studio Works [back to top] 

While my creations sell through fine art galleries and directly as corporate and unique personal gifts, commissioned work is always encouraged.

Retail prices for my work vary depending upon complexity of design and construction. In general, my prices range from $200.00 for simple marquetry wall hangings to $2000.00 for intricate and decorative
functional work and collectibles. My custom electric guitars start from $2000.00, but here again, prices will vary depending on component selection and detailing involved.

I am currently a member of the Guelph Studio Tour and the Ontario Crafts Council. Viewing of my work through my studio is by appointment only. I can be contacted at (519) 824-0974 of via email at david@atkinsonwoodart.com. Now, I warmly invite you to visit my online gallery of fine woodworking.

Call me or write to,

david@atkinsonwoodart.com

Gallery Bio [back to top] 

1992 - Exhibit, Canadian Craft Museum, Vancouver 1994 - Select works on Pacific Rim tour Since 1994 - Exhibited works in the Hamilton Art Gallery, MacDonald Stewart Art Gallery, The Guild Shop and more.   Featured in "Canadian Workshop" Magazine and "A Treasury of Canadian Craft", published by The Canadian Craft Museum. "...Personality and spirit is present in very fiber. It is because of this inherent vitality that I strive to honour the wood in all the work I set my mind, hand and soul to."