Georgia sculptor Jeff Mead turns salvaged wood into shapely textured works.
Artist: The Georgia native grew up in Acworth. At age 18, Mead moved to a small town in northern Massachusetts to work in the tree care business with family.
In pursuit of other passions, he packed up and headed to the north woods of Wisconsin to intern as a fly-fishing guide and later traveled all over the Midwest and out West, working in kitchens and bakeries. Eventually, he returned to Georgia.
Studio: Jeffrey Mead, started in April 2022, in Acworth. The self-taught artist works in an unfinished basement of his home.
In the beginning: With three generations of arborists on his father’s side, Mead grew up surrounded by knowledge, care and interest in trees – and yes, lots of wood.
Woodworking, or some form of it, was always of interest. Mead did some carving here and there over the years, building birdhouses and step-stools.
Eventually, Mead bought a lathe and figured out that he wanted to work the kind of raw wood and logs he grew up with.
Art & materials: Contemporary-styled vessels ($200 to $400), using salvaged wood from storm-damaged, and emergency removal trees.
Process: Includes bleaching, dyeing, Shou sugi ban (the art of preserving and finishing wood using fire), texturing and paint.
Favorite tools: 5/8” bowl gouge and bent hollowing tool.
Inspirations/influences: Several including:
- Yann Marot, French woodturning artist.
- Giorgio Romani, Italian woodturning artist.
- Christian Burchard, wood-artist based in Oregon.
What’s next:
- Sandy Springs Artsapalooza, Sandy Springs, GA. March 30-31.
- 4 Bridges art festival, Chattanooga, TN. April 19-21.
- Glynn Visual Arts, St. Simons Island, GA, exhibition with abstract painter Michael Jinkins. May 24.
Where to buy:
- dk Gallery (dkgallery.us), Marietta, GA.
- Instagram: @jmwoodartist.
Get social: Instagram: @jmwoodartist
