Wood Art By Connal

I create pictures in wood, using a technique called Intarsia. It is a technique that uses varied shapes and species of wood fitted together like a jigsaw.

Intarsia is a woodworking technique that uses varied shapes, sizes and species of wood fitted together to create a mosaic-like picture with an illusion of depth. It is created through the selection of different types of wood, using their natural grain pattern and colour to create variations in the pattern.

After selecting the specific woods to be used within the pattern, each piece is then individually cut, shaped and finished. Sometimes areas of the pattern are raised to create more depth. Once the individual pieces are complete, they are fitted together like a jig-saw puzzle and glued to wood backing which is sometimes cut to the outline shape of the image, often with the intention of creating a three-dimensional effect.

I consider the picture I am creating and select hardwood that I think will suit that picture. I take into account the colour, the grain type, the flow of the grain, then mix and match them to produce the most pleasing effect .

Whenever I can, I use locally (to the Borders of Scotland) sourced wood but, as most types of wood in the UK are various shades of brown, it can be a little limiting. So, I will buy in more exotic woods, which are more colourful. As a result, my pictures will have red, orange, yellow and purple in them, all of which are perfectly natural.