The Artist - Brian Sykes
My woodturnings - bowls, boxes and vases are divided into two groups; Turnings made in from a single piece are cut out of a log with a chainsaw, roughed out on the lathe to the general shape, dried for a minimum of one year, then finish turned. The "natural edge" bowls have a bark rim, achieved by orienting the opening towards the outside of the tree. The traditional bowl with a simple rim is cut facing the center of the tree. I try to accent the
natural organic forms and flaws that nature provides.
Segmented, and slant laminated segmented turnings are constructed of diverse species of wood from different countries, selected for their color, grain and hardness. I do not use any dyes, stains, or paint. Construction of this type requires planning, multiple exact compound angle saw cuts, gluing, recutting, regluing a number of times, then carved on the lathe. Some vessels contain 1000 or more pieces of wood. This technique is not new, though I have explored different avenues that are novel, with thought to relationships of color, form and graphics.
I attended Rochester Institute of Technology for electrical engineering and in the School of American Craftsman and furniture design from 1967 to 1972. I have been a working cabinetmaker and woodworker for thirty years.
Woodworking Gallery
I am proud to share with you an online photo gallery of some of my best woodturning creations. Click here to view examples of my work. Each piece is one of a kind. If you have any comments about my work, please feel free to email me -- I would love to hear from you.
Awards 2003
| When | Where | Name of Show | Award |
| 2/22,23/03 | South Miami, FL | 19th Annual South Miami Arts & Crafts Festival | 3rd in Show |
| 3/8,9/03 | Marco Islands, FL | 21st Craft Fair 2003 | 1st in Show |
| 4/5,6/03 | Pendleton, SC | 26th Annual Spring Jubilee | Best in Show 3D |
| 4/25-27/03 | Hilton Head Island, SC | The Art Market | Award of Merit |
| 7/26/03 | Waynesville, NC | International Festival Day | Best in Show |
| 8/30-9/1/03 | Matthews, NC | Matthews Alive | Award of Excellence |
| 9/20,21/03 | Durham, NC | Center fest | 2nd in 3D |
| 9/26-28/03 | Murrills Inlet, SC | Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival | Honorable Mention |
| 10/4/03 | Blowing Rock, NC | Arts in the Park | Best in the Show |
| 10/25,26/03 | Ocala, FL | 37th Ocala Arts Festival | Award of Distinction |
| 11/7-9/03 | Orlando, FL | 28th Festival of the Masters Disney Market Place | 1st Place in Category |
| 11/15,16/03 | Covington, LA | 6th Covington Three Rivers Festival | Award of Distinction |
| 11/29,30/03 | St. Augustine, FL | 6th Annual St. Augustine Fall Arts & Crafts Festival | Best Booth |
| 12/13,14/03 | Holmes Beach, FL | 15th Annual Anna Maria Island Winter fest | 1st Place in Show |
Awards 2004
| When | Where | Name of Show | Award |
| 1/17,18/04 | Bonita Springs | Bonita Springs National Art Festival | Award of Distinction |
| 2/7,8/04 | Marco Island | Marco Art Fair 2004 | Best of Show |
| 3/6,7/04 | Fort Pierce | AE. Backus Art Festival | Best of Show |
| 4/2-4/04 | Atlanta, Georgia | Atlanta Dogwood Festival | Best in Category |
| 4/17,18/04 | Saint Petersburg FL | Mainsail Art Festival | Merit Award |
| 4/24,25/04 | Hilton Head Ils. | Art Market at Historic Honey Horn | Merit Award |
| 5/8,9/04 | Roswell, GA | Roswell Colors Festival of the Arts | Merit Award |
| 7/17/04 | Blowing Rock, NC | Art in the Park | Honorable Mention |
| 8/13,14/04 | Covington, LA | Three Rivers Art Festival | Best of Show |
| 9/24-26/04 | (Huntington Beach State Park) Murrills Inlet, SC | Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival | Honorable Mention |
| 11/27,28/04 | Cocoa Beach, FL | Space Coast Art Festival | First Place in Category |
| 12/11,12/04 | Holmes Beach Anna Maria Ils., FL | Winter Fest | Best in Show 3D & Best in Category |
Awards 2005
| When | Where | Name of Show | Award |
| 1/15,16/05 | Marco Island, FL | Marco Island Fine Juried Art Show | Best of Show |
| 2/19-21/05 | Jupiter, FL | Artigras Fine Art Festival | Best of Category |
| 2/26,27/05 | Naples, FL | Naples National Art Festival | Best of Show 3D |
| 3/12,13/05 | Bonita Springs, FL | Bonita Springs National Art Festival | Award of Distinction |
| 4/16,17/05 | St. Petersburg, FL | Mainsail Art Festival | Merit Award |
| 5/28,29/05 | Decatur, GA | Decatur Arts Festival | First Place in Show |
| 7/8-10/05 | Cleveland Heights, Oh | Cain Park Arts Festival | Judges Choice |
| 9/24,25/05 | Murrells Inlet (Huntington Beach State Park) SC | Atalaya Arts And Craft Festival | Best of Show |
| 9/30-10/1/05 | Louisville, KY | St. James Court Third Street Art & Craft Festival | 1st Place 3rd St. South Section |
| 12/2-4/05 | Sarasota, FL | American Craft Council | Award of Achievement |
| 12/10,11/05 | Holmes Beach, Anna Maria, Is. FL | Winterfest | Best of Show 3D |
Awards 2006
| When | Where | Name of Show | Award |
| 1/14,15/06 | Bonita Springs FL | Bonita Springs National Art Festival | Award of Distinction |
| 1/20,21/06 | Marco Island FL | Marco Island Fine Juried Art Show | Merit Award |
| 2/18-20/06 | Jupiter FL | Artigras | Judges Choice |
| 3/17-19/06 | Winterpark FL | Winterpark Sidewalk Art Festival | Merit Award |
| 3/25,26/06 | Lake Wales FL | Lake Wales Art Festival | Judges Award- Exceptional Work |
| 4/7-9/06 | Atlanta GA | Atlanta Dogwood Festival | Best in Category |
| 5/27,28/06 | Decatur GA | Decatur Arts Festival | First Place in Show |
| 9/22-24/06 | Murrells Inlet (Huntington Beach State Park) SC | Atalaya Arts and Craft festival | Honorable Mention |
| 9/30-10/1/06 | Matthews NC | Art Fest | Best of Show and Best Booth |
| 10/14,15/06 | Stockbridge GA | Falling For Henry Fine Arts Festival | Merit Award |
| 11/18,19/06 | Kissimmee Fl | Osceola Art Festival | Award of Excellence |
| 11/25,26/06 | St. Augustine FL | St. Augustine Fall Art and Craft Festival | Best of Show |
| 12/9,10/06 | Holmes Beach, Anna Maria Ils., FL | Winterfest | Best of Show, 3D |
Awards 2007
| When | Where | Name of Show | Award |
| 1/20,21/07 | Marco Ils. FL | Marco National Fine Art & Fine Craft Show | Best of Show |
| 1/27-29/07 | St. Petersburg FL | Art Festival Beth El | Award of Distinction |
| 2/17-19/07 | Jupiter FL | Artigras | Best of Category |
| 3/24,25/07 | Lake Wales FL | Lake Wales Art Festival | Award of Distinction |
| 9/29,30/07 | Matthews NC | Mathews Artfest | Jurors Choice |
| 11/9-11/07 | Downtown Disney, Lake Buena Vista FL | Festival of the Masters | Best of Show |
| 11/17,18/07 | Kissimmee Fl | Osceola Art Festival | First Place in category |
| 11/24,25/07 | Naples FL | Naples Renaissance Fall Art Festival | Judges Choice |
| 12/8-2/07 | Holmes Beach Anna Maria Ils., FL | Winterfest | 2nd Place in 3D |
Awards 2008
| When | Where | Name of Show | Award |
| 1/12,13/08 | Bonita Springs FL | Bonita Springs National Art Festival | Award of Distinction |
| 2/16-18/08 | Jupiter FL | Artigras | Judges Choice |
| 3/29,30/08 | Lake Wales FL | Lake Wales Art Festival | Award of Merit |
| 5/10,11/08 | Charlotte NC | Charlotte Fine Art Show | Award of Excellence |
| 5/17,18/08 | Norfolk VA | Stockley Gardens Art Festival | Mayors Award |
| 6/14,15/08 | Westlake OH | Crocker Park Fine Art Fair | Honorable Mention |
| 7/3-6/08 | Boston Mills Ski Resort, OH | Artfest | Honorable Mention |
Schedule of Events
| When | Where | Name of Show |
| 1/12,13/08 | Bonita Springs FL | Bonita Springs National Art Festival |
| 1/19-21/08 | Fort Lauderdale FL | Las Olas National Art Festival |
| 2/9,10/08 | Boca Raton FL | Boca Raton Art Festival |
| 2/16-18/08 | Jupiter FL | Artigras |
| 3/1,2/08 | Bonita Springs FL | Bonita Springs National Art Festival |
| 3/7-9/08 | Vero Beach FL | Under The Oaks |
| 3/29,30/08 | Lake Wales FL | Lake Wales Art Show |
| 4/4-6/08 | Atlanta GA | Atlanta Dogwood Festival |
| 4/19,20/08 | Chattanooga TN | 4 Bridges Art Festival |
| 5/10,11/08 | Charlotte NC | Charlotte Fine Art Show |
| 5/17,18/08 | Norfolk, VA | Stockley Gardens Art Festival |
| 5/23-25/08 | Charleston SC | Piccolo Spoleto Craft Fair |
| 5/30-6/1/08 | Cincinnati OH | Summerfair |
| 6/6-8/08 | Columbus OH | Columbus Arts Festival |
| 6/14,15/08 | Westlake OH | Crocker Park Fine Art Fair |
| 6/28,29/08 | Sapphire Valley Resort ,NC | Sapphire Valley Arts & Crafts Festival |
| 7/3-6/08 | Boston Mills Ski Resort, OH | Artfest |
| 7/19,20/08 | Banner Elk NC | Banner Elk Fine Art and Mastercrafts Festival |
| 7/26,27/08 | Jackson Hole WY | Jackson Hole Art Festival Village |
| 8/2,3/08 | Crested Butte CO | Crested Butte Art Festival |
| 8/8-10/08 | Vail CO | Vail Arts Festival |
| 8/15-17/08 | Jackson Hole WY | Art Fair Jackson Hole |
| 8/23,24/08 | Evergreen CO | Evergreen Arts Festival |
Contact Information
Brian Sykes
8408 Rittenhouse Circle
Charlotte, North Carolina 28270Home phone: 704.442.5610
Mobile phone: 704.661.4576
Email: woodturner@mail.com
Ordering Information
Each piece is unique. Please call or email me for pricing and availability. See "contact information" area above.
Policies
Return policy
Customers may return items within 30 days for a full refund excluding shipping and handling charges. Just ship the item back to me in original condition and I will send you a refund check.
Site Credits
- Web site content and photographs by Brian Sykes
- Web site design, development, and hosting provided by Advanced Technology in Media.
