“Artistic design with a little magic”

Woodburn Gallery

Arwen Cayton started wood burning in 2015 on items made by local artists in her area and has continued developing as an artist, every year collecting new local wood artists as she goes. The reason behind this was to help promote other local artists, but also these artists were making functional items. Arwen had a desire to make her art a functional art form. Pretty, but useful. Bowls, cutting boards, wooden utensils, are all burned, but meant to be used! Now she has grown to hanging art, but still it’s in the minority level of her art, 95% were made to be used and also loved for the art hidden in the grain.

Bowls and vases

The Bog of Enbarr

We all go through ups and downs. We are tried by our faith and hopefully rise above the pain. This piece was created from a place of darkness and took on such a beauty in itself. Everyone will pick their own elements to hold onto in this piece. I believe this is why it causes such an emotion when I look at it. Some will see just the creatures hiding amongst the bog. Others will see the death hidden amongst the life. Some will be lost in the Enbarr and its look of protection. I hope some will see the whole, see the struggle and love. Amongst the merk, the dark, the death, there is hope, life and devotion. Everyone meet, The Bog of Enbarr. It's a wonderful vase carved by an artist we found on our travels.

“Stardust”

First of all, this vessel is an amazing piece that Jeff Goodson turned. When I saw it emerge from the box, I grabbed it up. Jeff is another local artist that I work with here in the mountains. The only image that kept jumping out at me was a horse flying through the night, so Stardust came to life. I had always thought after burning this one, that it would be a the beginning of a creation story series. I cannot wait for Jeff to turn another one!

“The Leshy”

I truly love running my hands across things and seeing an image inside. Those who get it, understand this feeling and I hope those that don't get to experience this by my artwork. Everything has life even after it's living life has been cut, the energy still lives on. This maple bowl I saw him. Everyone meet, " The Leshy". The Leshy is a deity of the forest from Slavic mythology. He rules over the forest and governs the hunt. Seemed to be the perfect name for this critter.

“Kitsune”

As you come into your own as an artist, I've decided it becomes harder to let go of certain pieces. This one has fallen into the category of " will be hard to let go". The bowl was made by Jeff Goodson . Another piece that I knew it was coming home with me. I also saw the cheeky face of this creature hiding in the grain. Everyone meet " Kitsune"
A Kitsune is a magical beast, but behind the magic, it is a fox. An intelligent animal with magical powers, that grow with age. They are shape shifters to the human form. They also can grow many tails, up to almost 9, as they grow old and gain wisdom. Most Kitsune, are known to be guardians and always around humans, but a few have been known to be tricksters to people.
***This piece is full of magic, from the hand crafted maple bowl to the image. Hoping it will find it's special home to share it's magic with.***

Lord Frith

When I was little, I read a book called Watership Down. I read this book so many times, that the cover was worn. I hated returning it to the Library. I bought my first copy as an adult and read it over and over again. If you read the book you will know the name. Meet " Lord Frith". He is the Lord of Light for the rabbits, their God. Even in the darkest times his light is there to guide them. This burn is on a handmade cherry bowl, made by Arthur Boyd. This is a one of a kind drawing/ burn.

“Resilience is the Key”

Helene brought a lot of mixed emotions and feelings. There is so much loss, but out of this. I've seen what makes Appalachian people so special, their resilience. There is always emotion tied to every piece of artwork. This one has been drawn for a few months, but I hadn't really worked on it, until now. The storm brought this one to life. The Kingfisher is a symbol of resilience and is a perfect image for what Appalachia will need to recover from the aftermath of this storm. Appalachians are the most resilient people I have ever met, and I'm proud to be one of them

“ Once Upon a Time”

***A bowl like no other. It's one I surprise myself and see more things in it every time and I'm the one who did it!!***
***This bowl was turned by George Macdonald. It's a box elder bowl that stands 7 inches tall, with a diameter of 14 inches. Has to be the tallest bowl I've ever burned.***
"Once Upon a Time" is a one of a kind wood burn and the first of a story line I want to wood burn. I'm so in love with this bowl. Even the sub characters have found their way into other burns, Mr. Grumpy Pants, aka “The Toad”, is the most famous of the characters. Pictures just don't do it any justice.

“Songbird and Sunshine”

***This is the cutest little cherry dish, made by one of my favorite wood artists, the Boyd family!! Meet "Songbird and Sunshine".***

Cretaceous Baby

From the moment I saw the knot in this bowl, all I could see was a baby Triceratops. When I was young I thought I would be a Paleontologist. Didn’t happen! But that didn’t stop my love for them in my art world. This burn is done on a Maple bowl by the Boyd family.

“Smoke Break”

I have truly fallen in love with this character. Mr. Grumpy. He was a sub character on my " Once Upon a Time " bowl, and grew into his own fan base. He just needs a story book. Here he is in "Smoke Break". This burn is on an ash leaf maple dish made by the wood artist family, The Boyd's.

cutting boards and Live edge

Soul Searcher

Orcas are a fascinating animal. I’ve always loved watching them in their pods. Dreams about them can mean a lot to many cultures. One that has stuck with me is they live for the future and don’t care so much about the present. That if you dream of them, your soul is thinking about moving you from your past to the present. Mind you, this is only one interpretation of their meaning in dreams. What better than searching for your soul amongst the fields of flowers to your new horizon.

Follow the Light

Everyone, at sometime in their life has fallen to their feet and felt alone. I thought of this as my children left for college and I was full of worry about the idea of them loosing their ground, but they have us. We all go through a point in our lives when we hope to see the light and find comfort, whether it is your faith, a person or a critter. We all will look for the light to get out of the darkness. I know my children will always be able to follow the light home and this eased my worries. This cherry cutting board holds this image for me. Meet, " Follow the Light". When in darkness and cold, follow the light back home.

“The Spirit of God”

I absolutely love hornbills. You have seen them in my paintings and now my first wood burn. These guys are highly intelligent, mate for life, and are a symbol of good luck in many countries. The board was made by the Boyd family, not Arthur this time but his uncle, and is made of cherry. Meet, " The Spirit of God". In the Dayak tribe of Borneo, it is believed that these birds embody and symbolize, the spirit of God. The hornbill is incorporated in almost every aspect of their culture. Just an amazing bird in general, but also the title it holds is magical, and I am sharing my love for them with you all. There is just something about a bird who can read your thoughts as you approach them. Don’t believe me, go to your local zoo and experience for yourself.

“Night Angel”

A lot of people are frightened by the thought of bats. I, on the other hand, have a deep love and affection for them. They are complex critters that deserve more than the bad rap they have been given as little monsters of the night. Truly, they are just little sky puppies.

Tangaroa

Meet " Tangaroa" (God of Sea) My first time burning something this large. This one is 39 1/2" long and 12" at the widest part. Humpbacks are my favorite whales and when I went to New Zealand I so wanted to see one, but it wasn't in the stars. I was able to take home a piece of artwork from a Maori town of this special whale. They have folktales honoring this magical animal and it can be seen on some of their homes. When I saw this piece of maple and ran my hand across it, I knew what the wood wanted to be. Tangaroa holds a magic and is dear to my heart.

Jewelry

One of a Kind, Wearable Art

untensils

Beautiful…Useable…Artwork