A Gallery of artwork by Woodburning artist & Pyrographer, Don Worden
The Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia is one of the most photographed mills in the United States. It has been the subject for calendars, postcards and other forms of artistic expression for many years. It is also one of Don's favorite man-made subjects, having been woodburned by him on many occasions. Don can provide a copy of this mill in a variety of sizes. If you are interested in the Mabry Mill, contact Don for information about getting your personal individualized burning of Mabry Mill.
Something new & special: Fan-Carved Peace Birds by Carolyn
There may be another show or two added to our schedule. When that occurs, they will be posted here. In the meantime, if you have a special request for a unique, "one-of-a-kind" burning for that someone special--or just for yourself, contact us at www.arquistudiogo.com.
An opportunity to enjoy a unique piece of handcrafted art...
and memories that last a lifetime...
For over thirty years, Don has been experimenting with, and developing his own unique approach to the ancient art form known as pyrography. This experimenting led Don to basswood as his choice of wood. The softest of the hardwoods, its nearly grainless surface provides a natural canvas for creating replicas of God's scenic beauty.
Don's subjects often are drawn from nature and include animals, birds and other scenic representations of God's creation. They also include such man-made creations as old mills, covered bridges and homesteads. Don has created many, many burnings of people's homesteads from a bygone era. The monochromatic approach gives a feeling similar to the old sepia prints from early generations of photographs. Don's attention to such details such as perspective and shading give a photographic quality to his work.
Woodburnings from St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square, to the Blue Ridge Parkway and animals, lighthouses and bridges in between...
Subject matter for Don's woodburnings has greatly expanded through the years, and includes special landmarks (such as St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square, Moscow), and a wide variety of animals and birds captured in their natural settings. Included are such diverse items as wooden business cards (16 by 12 inches in size), a woodburning of Nantucket Island, castles and a large number of houses. Some of these house projects were taken from old photographs and they range from homesteads that no longer exist, to very modern structures. In one case it was a pair—a cabin in the mountains near Lake Arrowhead, and a residence in one of Southern California's many communities. They have also included quite a number of pets, such as dogs and cats and other animals.
Re-creating your favorite scene or bridge or animal...
Because of the individual nature of each woodburning, keeping a large inventory of items has never been practical. At the same time, there are a number of items on display here that have become best sellers at festivals (such as the Yankee Peddler Festival, Canal Fulton, Ohio in September), craft shows and other craft boutiques (Sols' in Berlin, Ohio, for example). If you are interested in any of the items shown here, please contact Don for information about orders. Or, if you have an idea for a special project, contact Don for information about how such a project could be undertaken.
Still life male interesting subject matter. I like this because of the way I was able to capture the reflections of the fruit in the side of the bucket.
042.jpg
If you know the story of the praying hands, then you can appreciate it even more. I understand that one brother worked so the other brother could study art and painting. Eventually the working brother's hands became so gnarled with arthritis, that he could no longer work. However, eventually they were immortalized by his brother, in oils and as book ends. Here they are presented as a special woodburning.
Abbeyruins.jpg
A lady from New York sent pictures of the ruins of an Abbey and of a castle in Ireland. This is my rendition of the ruins of the Abbey. If you have an unusual building or other kind of a project, contact me at don@woodburningbydon.com.
Another Virginia House
A special house in Virginia, from a client who came to the Waterford, Virginia Homes Tour and Craft Fair, the oldest continual craft show in this country. This project is fourteen inches by eighteen and cost $225. Send me a picture, either as an attachment to an email, or via "snail mail," whichever is most convenient for you. Send me your phone # and we can discuss your project. If we agree upon a project, then I ask for 50% up front, with the balance due upon delivery of the project.
AnotherMarineplaque.jpg
A gentleman who works with the Marine's "Toys for Tots" program had me made a pair of plaques to present to two of the businesses that had helped the Marines collect toys for their program. Another way to give someone or some organization a special, "one of a kind" memento of some special occasion.
Anothershotoftwodogs.jpg
A mother and her pup. A burning like this would run $110.00, and we accept Master Card, Visa or Discover, or a personal check.
Betterpetdog.jpg
One of my most popular projects has been memorializing a pet through wood burning.
BlackLab.jpg
This was a special black lab, that had died when the lady from Minnesota contacted me. She was so pleased with the finished project, I asked her for permission to use it as a standard pattern, and I have enjoyed "burning" this dog several times.
CloseupofMaloneSeal.jpg
When a close friend retired as president of Malone College, the "Friends of Malone" asked me to burn this rendition of the Malone College Seal for him as a retirement gift. They have changed the name to Malone University, located in Canton, Ohio.
Donwithwolfpack.jpg
This is one of the largest projects I have burned. A gentleman who lives in Northern Minnesota, sent me a small picture of a wolf pack, and asked me to do it "as large as you can." It is forty two inches wide and twenty seven inches high. I later did a burning of his huskie, thirty-six by twenty-four.
Dragster
Another car project, this time of a dragster.
OarHouses.jpg
A lady came by my booth a few years ago and said that she had these oars from their home place. The place had been sold after her folks died. It had been on a lake, so she had me burn these images of the home place on oars, one for her, and for her brother and sister.
Philsdog.jpg
These are two images of my friend Phil's dog, Buster. Unfortunately Buster has since died.
SchilligHOuse2.jpg
This is a special house owned by our good friends the Schilligs of Lancaster, Ohio.
TennesseeHousewithphoto.jpg
One of two house projects for a gentleman from Tennessee. Both were of houses owned by his children.
Virginia House
When these folks contacted me about this project, they said, "My brother built a mansion!" Whether you consider it a mansion or not, it is a very nice house in Virginia. It is sixteen inches high by twenty, and cost $250.00. I would be happy to discuss a possible project with you. Contact me at don@arquistudiogo.com.
Wolfinprocess.jpg
I am working on a special wolf project, in my lazy boy recliner.
Check out our new brochure...
