lright, we'll admit it. with a name like Artman we can't help but think of a muscular, broad-chested man in spandex and a cape who flies around the world smiting evil with the super power of his superior artistic ability. "Artman away!"
Comic books aside, Rob Artman is a slight, unassuming man. His gentle nature and skilled hands bring out some of the best in that rich natural canvas we call wood. He works mostly in Northwest woods and carves ornamental and ceremonial masks. Check out his work on his web site at Rob Artman Carving.
We met up with Rob recently at UCR Woods - who is also featured in our User Gallery by the way - as he was on the lookout for some nice material for a new project. He had brought with him a new project he had just finished. And here it is, presented in all its glory for the first time to the world in this, a Grip-All Jaws exclusive.
It's carved from local, spalted maple. We think it's maybe Inuit in appearance though we're unsure if that is actually what Rob had in mind.
Rob works mostly with hand tools and although his tools are made of modern materials such as tool steel, a native carver from 500 years ago would be able to make masks and figures instantly using the same tools. Rob likes to work with adzes, straight and crooked knives and has many of them made for him. There is certainly a satisfaction and Zen-like peacefulness in working wood with fine, sharp hand tools.
As we said, Rob works mostly with Northwest woods but not in any way exclusively. He exhibits works in European Pear and English Lyme wood as well as other spieces. The Native Peoples of the coast often used Port Orford Cedar for masks, boxes, lodges, boats, you name it. It's soft, stable, easy to work, and finishes nicely. Rob uses it to great effect in much of his work. This Moon mask is carved in Port Orford Cedar. Port Orford Cedar is not a true cedar but actually a species of Cyprus that is native to the southern coast of Oregon and the northern Coast of California. Indeed, there are fossils of a similar species that are found well up into Canada.
We met up with Rob in the winter of 2010 and he talked about how much the Grip-All Jaws helped him. He can hold carving blanks securely and safely and use carving tools with a mallet or by hand. He has a Tilt-Top Portable. We don't know if he uses an adze with it but it should hold up fine. There is a shot of him using the Tilt-Top on his web site. While you're there check out some of Rob's beautiful work.
We at Grip-All Jaws continue to be amazed by the fantastic craftsmanship of our customers.