Tell us about your artwork.
I’m Jane Markham. My woodworking specialty is creating boxes that highlight the grains & patterns found in our Northern California Claro Walnut & English Walnut. These unique specimens are over 70 years old. As I band saw & plane each piece, the natural beauty becomes apparent. Each part of the box make-up calls for its own artistry as features come out for the legs & fronts and backs. My joy is picking the choicest boards for the dramatic tops.
Describe how art is important to society.
Everyone has artistic qualities. Our natural world is a pallet of possibilities. Art brings us closer to these joys & allows us to explore creations that expand our world.
How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I worked with my late husband for many years as I learned everything I could about our wood shop. When he ascended 15 years ago, I had wonderful tools to work with, a huge canopy of wood, & the inspiration to continue our legacy of bringing beautiful Walnut back to a new life for another 50 years. I have progressed so that I feel confident my work is ever evolving.
Has your style changed over time?
My style has been refining over the years, as I mostly work by myself with occasional help. I can create pieces that come together beautifully–each part complementing the others. My Walnut is a never-ending source of amazement when the grains are exposed. My boxes are smaller now & I highlight remarkable pieces of the wood: ‘Fiddleback’, with its undulating waves, the heartwood of English Walnut, & Black Walnut Burls that show amazing patterns.
What superpower would you have and why?
My many years of teaching have blossomed as I impart growth and positivity to all I encounter. My superpower would be to extend my nurturing hands and self to the larger world, helping others realize their potential and fulfill it to improve their lives.
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Read Jane’s previous interview here.
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