Shou Sugi Ban: Japanese Wood Burning Technique

Shou Sugi Ban is a simple, beautiful wood burning technique designed to naturally preserved wood and historically used in Japan for wood siding. 

Wood begins raw, as with the in-progress rings below:

Then you apply flame with a torch, clean and sand the wood as desired, and treat it with linseed oil. I like to use lacquer, sometimes, too, to seal the ring and reduce the lovely but agressive burnt-wood smell. 

Here's a before-and-after:

And the final product:

I like using Shou Sugi Ban because it's a natural finish, and one that mimics the self-preservation of a tree in a forest fire: it's the last line of defense, and the particular way the wood burns creates a barrier between the flames and green, live wood. 

It's this kind of natural strength I like to honor in my work, through my materials and processing, whenever I can. 

This particular ring is part of the AD IDEM series. 

Want to translate this technique into a home project? Check out this Apartment Therapy tutorial!

The Constructs of Art & Time, or:

...getting a little philosophical before lunch.

Today at the studio, we were talking about the wood used in the GR pieces, where it comes from, and what it means to work so closely with these materials. I consider it an honor. "It isn't about time or what's old or what's new," I said. "Because time is made up." And the materials, warm and strong, we can hold in our hands.

In a Smithsonian Magazine article published two winters ago -- when the hunker-down and wait-it-out habits of the season (and time!) were in full swing -- writer Joshua Keating asked, how does time function in society? Anthropologists have concluded that not only is time a human construct, it is one that differs from culture to culture. From the theories of anthropologist Edward T. Hall:

"In monochronic societies, including Europe and the United States, time is perceived as fixed and unchanging, and people tend to complete tasks sequentially. In polychronic societies, including Latin America and much of Asia, time is more fluid and people adapt more easily to changing circumstances and new information." [emphasis mine]

Art is polychronic, but the craft of it is monochronic, I think. Working in the studio, I experience both senses of time. Art transgresses time, and art transgresses cultural understandings of time. Which is pretty neat. 

In the studio, I use craft traditions established long ago, and also some of the newest technology. Lately, for instance, I've been experimenting with a 3D-printer, in order to find new forms and possibilities. 

our new 3D-printer, alongside an important reminder: "Let the tree hug you."

As process and technology evolve, our sense of time evolves, our sense of art evolves, and so too our connection with each other, citizens of the universe. When I look at something like the Signature Organic Coil bracelet, its ebonized white oak, its elegance and deceptive simplicity, I see all of this within it. 

Art is a pure, pulsing thing within the complicated network of nature and all life, and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Now it's time to get a bite. 

New Brooch Design by Gustav Reyes

This month I have some free shop time since I don't have any shows! I'm excited to go in different directions with the work. Check out the new brooch.

Form & Function

I'm coming out of a short period of creators block and really getting into the rhythm. Pieces like this are satisfying. Not only is this piece beautiful and elegant, but also maintains a perfect balance of form and function.

The old design adage - KIS(S): Keep It Simple (Stupid)

Smithsonian Craft Bound

The Smithsonian Craft Show is coming up at the end of this month in Washington DC. Until then, I'll be in the shop. Check out the new design I developed today. SmithsonianCraftShow.org

Exchange of Energy

I've been gearing up for the JAWA Chic show in Bridgeport (Chicago) next month (Oct. 19-30) at the Zhou B Arts Center. I'm excited for the show. The idea of the show is to present art jewelry at an elevated level. The pieces will be displayed on the wall as if in a gallery. I have also considered my pieces to be miniature sculptures, especially the rings. I create with this always in mind. Art jewelers put as much time and thought as traditional artists and therefore I believe they should be given the same respect.

The Held Neckpiece - $350, handmade in Chicago. 

At a recent street festival in Chicago, I noticed many bulging eyes after checking out the price of the work. It's ok, I'm used to this reaction. I am confident in the craftsmanship with which my work is created and I believe in a balanced exchange of energy. Those who connect to that energy understand. Later, a lady came up to the booth, and said, "I'm happy to see that you've priced your work according to the amount of time and energy you put into it." Wow! I was so pleased. She happened to be a maker herself. She understood that it takes time, energy, focus and dedication to create. It's hard to place a value on that.

Check out the JAWAChic Website for more information: http://www.jawachic.com/
Good friend and fellow artist David Forlano will be displaying his work as well.

... to the wind and the stars
Gustav

Photo by Tom Petroff
Modeled by Carolina I. Reyes

Some ideas at the ACC St Paul Show

Check out this video from the ACC St. Paul Show. Thanks to the ACC folks for taking an interest in me and my work. 

Wearable Art Events in Chicago

Excited to share my work in my own hometown twice this year!

Chicago is an amazing cross section of art, food, industry and diverse cultures which makes it the perfect backdrop to shows featuring forward thinking art jewelers.

On October 20 and 21 I will participate in JAWAChic, a new show aimed at featuring art jewelers who create unique handmade works. Take a look at the video from last year!

Get ready for the One of a Kind Show in Chicago in early December, 6-9. The last time I participated was in 2006. How much life has evolved since then. Excited to participate for the second time this year.   For more information on the One of a Kind Show visit their website, here.

Brick & Mortar Representation

Lay your eyes and hands on my wooden jewelry at various locations around the United States.

My pieces photograph like sculpture, but it can be difficult to imagine the work as a functional piece of jewelry. Nothing beats sliding the coiling pieces of wood onto your wrist. Here I've listed a few brick and mortar options where you can get your hands on the work. For more locations, view my website under Gallery Representation.

San Francisco

MARCH

3075 Sacramento Street

San Francisco, CA 94115

http://www.marchsf.com/

Merion, Pennslyvania

Barnes Foundation

300 N Latch's Lane

Merion, PA 19066-1729

http://www.barnesfoundation.org/visit/

Santa Fe

Patina Gallery

131 West Palace Avenue

Santa Fe, NM 87501

http://www.patina-gallery.com/

New York City

A Uno Tribeca

123 W Broadway

NY, NY 10013

St. Louis

Craft Alliance

6640 Delmar Blvd. 

St. Louis, MO 63130

http://craftalliance.org/

Metalsmith Magazine

I am honored to have been included in the latest edition of Metalsmith Magazine. Thank you to Andrea DiNoto for the beautiful article she wrote. 

I am grateful to be doing something that feeds my soul and to be recognized for doing it. I don't take any of these experiences for granted. A special thank you to all of the people who continually support me and my crazy ideas; my beautiful family, my hardworking crew and all the people who appreciate the work and share it!

Signature Series

          Introducing the Signature Series by Gustav Reyes          

Bogwood Rings by Simply Wood Rings

I am extremely excited about this new collection. I've taken the forms from my Limited Edition Collection and added a chic black finish. The finish is created by a natural process that is similar to the way bog wood is altered when submerged under water for thousands of years.

The process of finishing leaves the classic forms black with a wood grain texture. The visual effect is bold and strong. These beautiful pieces are perfect to keep things chic and sleek by day or to add uniqueness to a formal night out.

The Cuff

Organic Coil Narrow

Oval Cuff

Calderesque

“The underlying sense of form in my work has been the system of the Universe" -Alexander Calder

This is a new form I am experimenting with. I have been greatly influenced by Calder's work lately. 

Untitled, Gustav Reyes, 2012

Jealous Husband, Alexander Calder, 1940

Calder

Alexander Calder's work has greatly influenced the ways I consider and create art jewelry.

I came across a fantastic article on Calder's jewelry from 2010 when the show Calder Jewelry curated by Mark Rosenthal was being shown across the US. The article, Alexander Calder's Jewelry: going mobile was written by Cathleen McCarthy. Rosenthal stated that, 

"Calder was accounting for all the components, how each part would be read in relation to the other parts, as well as how those parts would be affected by the person wearing it.” Not only does one consider all the elements of design but, when creating art jewelry, its imperative to consider the ways in which it will interact with the human form. 

The article also mentions Rosenthal's belief that Calder's work was a parody on wearable art. He says, ”In a lot of ways, this stuff isn’t very wearable at all... I think of the wearer as being sort of bewitched by the wearing of it but also like something surreal come to life, a surreal manifestation." 

A great article. Take a look here:

http://thejewelryloupe.com/alexander-calders-jewelry-going-mobile/


If you want to see something really great check out this video of Calder performing his "Circus"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6jwnu8Izy0

WOOD at Velvet da Vinci

I am honored to have my work exhibited among the best in wood jewelry at San Francisco's Velvet da Vinci Gallery. The exhibit is called WOOD and features art jewelers from around the world who primarily work with wood.

Check out the gallery of work that will be presented in this exhibit at the Velvet da Vinci website.



Wood reminds us to live life with the knowledge that each day is a gift and that one day we will cease to exist in this world. As wood, we too, will eventually return to the Earth. 

Organic Trefoil Brooch

Ad Idem Ring I

The Held Ring

Walnut Cuff

Three Treasures Neckpiece

WEARABLE art

Organic Coil Walnut - Limited Edition Ceo

Pictured above from Left to Right: Organic Trefoil Brooch in Cherry, Square Knot Circle in Walnut and Cherry and The Three Treasures Neckpiece with Cherry, Pearls and Silver. 


As an artist who relies heavily on word of mouth and internet publicity to gain support, I am eternally grateful to bloggers who appreciate or are excited by my work enough to stand behind it and share it on their blogs.

The downside to this, of course, is not having too much control over who or what is put out there with my name attached. I haven't had too much to complain about which is a relief and I hope this speaks to the validity and credibility of my work. Recently, however, I came a crossed a post that seemed like a backhanded compliment. In the end my feeling is that, the blogger developed his or her angle and ran with it, however, it left a bitter taste in my mouth. The particular post, in a nutshell seemed to question the wearability of my work.

I'm not as concerned with the post as I am with the subject of WEARABILITY.

Introducing wood into a jewelry world that attaches great value and importance to the use of precious materials was a difficult task. In the beginning, I endured a few noses raised in my direction. I didn't let this discourage me in creating my work because I have always felt very strongly about the use of a material that parallels our fragile existence as a living (and dying) energy. This philosophy of mine, completely contradicts the "traditional" thought surrounding jewelry as something that is eternal.

Another hurdle existed within the world of woodworking where tradition is a long standing value. My bent wood pieces caused many to question the techniques, structural integrity and validity of my work. Understandable of course, and most people were very receptive after engaging in conversation about the work.

In all, I think the questions the work incites are positive. It tells me that viewers are interested in the forms enough to think and question how they could be possible. I have always strived to design pieces that are not only functional as jewelry but at the same time function as sculpture; as an art piece. Contemplating ideas of form and functionality is a balance that has been explored by artists and creators the world over in all medias. Blurring the line between jewelry and art is what drives me.

View more of my wearable art at:
gustavreyes.com

Balance of Life

So divinely is the world organized that every one of us,
in our place and time, is in balance with everything else. -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Balance of Life at the Eastbank Gallery in Chicago

The Balance of Life is a small scale sculpture that I created in 2010. This is the first non-utilitarian piece that I have made in a long time. My exploration was to express the materials stability and uniqueness. Although traditional lap joints are used to create the form, the placement of the intersections are non-traditional causing tension to the viewer who is familiar with the properties of wood.


When creating this piece, I had no set plan, the form was built up spontaneously from my desire to magnify the unusual properties of the compressed wood. The form that resulted is fluid. It's center of balance allows it to stand in different ways which makes it very exciting.


The parallel to life is the idea that an individual is a culmination of different experiences and phases of life. The negative and positive energies that wash in and wash out like the tide shape life and create harmony to the ones who seek it.

Ebonized Wood

Ebonized Wood Process

I have been experimenting with ebonizing the bent wood pieces. I am excited about the sleek and sophisticated look of the ebonized wood.

Ebonizing wood is a chemical process that occurs inside the wood. No pigment or colorant is added, it is an actual chemical reaction. What happens between vinegar and steel when Tannic acid is introduced changes the color of the wood to black. This process occurs naturally in nature to bog wood.

Ebonised White Oak Knot

March 29 Photoshoot

My assistant and I pulled a photo shoot together in one day last Thursday! I don't know how we did it! The results, however, are stunning!

I realized I have not been putting my work in context on the human body. I think seeing the work functioning as an object will help viewers to understand the extent of the work. 

I am extremely grateful to Tom Petroff and Carolina Reyes for being so flexible! A huge "Thank you!" to each of them for sharing their talents and working very hard to complete the project. 

Take a look at these beauties! 

Three Treasures Neckpiece

The Held Neckpiece

Trefoil Brooch Cherry

The Held Brooch

ἕλιξ (Greek: twisted, curved)

The word helix comes from the Greek word ἕλιξ, "twisted, curved".^{[2] (wikipedia)}