Wayne Walma, Woodworker
I approach woodwork from a traditional cabinetmaker point of
view. Joints are tight and strong and at
times the method of construction becomes a design element. My preference is to work with native species
of wood and to finish with non-toxic material such as milk paint or polymerized
linseed oil.
My work has seen a progression to more independent work as
woodworker/artist. This progression is
related to collaborative work with my partner, Pam Beal, and her movement from
traditional quilting to an increasingly recognized art quilter. I have become intrigued with piecing and
applique of wood fiber looking at it as a quilter would look at cloth
fiber. Taking into account the movement
of the wood fiber in design is the struggle.
A notion suggested to me by an artist friend/mentor moves me
to consider Wabi-Sabi:
the beauty of things imperfect,
impermanent and incomplete;
the beauty of things modest and humble; the beauty of things
unconventional.
I reflect on materials I use:
Hand planed white pine floor boards from Pennala log home
Yellow birch log from neighbor Robert’s wood that “doesn’t
look like a normal Birch.” It was Flame Yellow Birch.
Hollow logs diverted from use as culverts
Recovered 100 year submerged hemlock log from Flintsteel
River
Apple wood from trees that have succumbed from too many
years being climbed and broken by bear and raccoon
Roofing tin; ubiquitous in the U.P.
Exhibitions-Awards
2014: Making the Cut,
Bonifas Arts Center, Escanaba, MI, Invitational Exhibit
2013: Great Lakes
Showcase, Houghton, MI Honorable Mention
2012:
Bonifas Arts Center, Escanaba, MI: Northern Exposure XIX, Art Network Award
Bonifas Arts Center, Escanaba, MI: Fabrications III-Art
Quilts of the Upper Peninsula, First
Place Award
Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI: Great Lakes
Showcase, Second Place Award, 3D
Category
Sweetwater Café, Marquette, MI: Small Compositions in Wood
& Cloth, 2 Person Show
Previous:
Ed Gray Gallery, Calumet, MI: Sawdust & Loose Thread, 2 Person Show with Pam Beal
Ed Gray Gallery, Calumet, MI: Wood-Form and Function, Group Show
Vertin Gallery, Calumet, MI: Inside & Outside the Box,
Group Show
Commission:
City of Marquette Arts & Culture Center, Selected to design and make the
2011 Arts Awards 
