Lone Wolf Woodwork exhibit at Seymour Art Gallery 6y SMteij Harrum Rae ·5 T om P r i e s t l e y is the self p r o c l a i m e d Lone Wolf Woodworker, a one-man, hands-on operation producing unique and organic designs from reclaimed wood. He Priestley treats his work only with oils to enhance the natural beauty, and prevent any cracking or peeling. He likes to "work with the wood, not work the wood". He doesn't follow a set plan-- just seems to know the dimensions needed for a comfortable chair. He "can recognize a shape in a raw piece and has "an eye for what can be done with It". Nothing is cut straight across, so the edges are left as "live edges". The Lone Wolf takes the process from the basic log, through the drying, milling, and sanding, using his hand hewn machinery, to create cedar slab and driftwood furniture, and to build log timber framing and stair case designs. once trained as the Head Sawyer in a lumber mill and it was there he learned how logs could be broken down and used, but it was a book he once picked up about making twig furniture that first inspired him. He has since taken the idea many steps further with his own work. Priestley designs and creates, not only the finished pieces, but any machinery needed for the job. "It's all about what's needed to make things work and an understanding of how to put things together," he says. He begins by gathering his materials by going into local forests to log dead trees and stumps to be milled into slabs. Then he uses the "double canoe" he built by lashing two together for paddling up to and collecting driftwood off the beaches. Using reclaimed wood, he maintains the spirit of his sources and makes a fully functional and environmentally friendly product. Revering the natural patina and "silvering "of wood, His work has been shown around BC including: The Harrison Festival of the Arts, Van Dusen Gardens, BC Place Home and Garden Show and The Priestley Studio and Garden Gallery in Mission. Catch the spirit of the Lone Wolf and his woodwork. WHO: Tom Priestley WHAT: Lone Wolf Woodwork WHERE: Seymour Art Gallery, 4360 Gallant Ave., Deep Cove WHEN: Opening Reception Thursday August 9, 7-9 pm Show continues until September 9. INFO: email: info@seymourartgallery.com Tel: 604.924.1378