Les has turned his hobby into a brand-new career
THIS week in Craft Creations we visit Les Symonds, who runs woodturning courses from his workshop in Bala.
Here, Les tells us of his dramatic change in career after discovering the wonders of woodturning.
“I commenced woodturning early in 2013 as a hobby in which I could relax from the stresses of my career as a special-needs teacher.
“Then, in mid-2014, I left teaching to become a professional woodturner and, with my wife, Sally, we set up the business called Pren in Bala, where we sell my work, such as bowls, candle sticks, stools etc.
“Alongside this, I also teach woodturning in half and whole-day courses at my workshop.
“I have a great passion for wood and love to source my timber locally, from gardeners, farmers and tree surgeons, and nothing gives me greater pleasure than to take distressed, storm-damaged timber and make a thing of beauty from it.
“I take much of my inspiration from the rugged countryside of Snowdonia and this is often reflected in my work, although I am also inspired by the Chinese principal of Wabi Sabi, in which a thing of beauty can be made from materials that many people would reject as inferior.”
“Les’s work is beautifully crafted, using interesting pieces of timber, but he explains how he uses other materials to create his stunning pieces.
“Along with the local timber that I use, I often include e other, sympathetic c materials in my work; materials such as leather thong, copper and semi-precious stones, or even cabochons of slate, which I have recently learned to turn.
“One of my favourite techniques of embellishment is to scorch the surface of coarse-grained timbers, such as oak and ash, then scour them clean and lime wax them. This highlights the rug- orative techniques.
“It was a technically difficult piece to plan and to make, which is important for me, as I feel that only a piece which challenges the maker, truly reflects his skills and knowledge.”
To see more work from Les, visit his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pren.bala/ or why not pop down to their shop and gallery in Bala.