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Working in Wood

It all started with a trip to the Olympic Peninsula three summers ago. On that trip Daryl Herbison, a Library Specialist II in Database Maintainance, saw totem poles and got an idea. That idea, to carve wood, grew into a satisfying hobby and now an art form. Though he had no formal training in art, carving or sculture, he had "dabbled in woodworking" and that was enough to get him started. In that first year he carved ½ a totem pole and two masks. The following year, on a trip to the ocean, a new direction opened up. "I started looking at driftwood in a way I'd never seen it before," he says.

Now, after many hours working in this medium, Daryl describes raw driftwood as "pieces of sculpture that are already at least ½ way done" and, after many subsequent scavenging trips, he has 200-300 pieces "stowed away" in his basement.

The art of driftwood sculpture involves finding the story within the wood. "Driftwood has natural qualities that make every piece unique," he says. "The wood has already accumulated a lot of experience" before he finds it. After a piece dries out Daryl removes the deadwood and dirt and, as he does so, begins watching for interesting shapes and features in what remains. "I try to maintain a sense of adventure and discovery as I go along", he says. After using chisels and an adze to work the wood into the shape he wants, he sands it carefully and adds a finish, often multiple coats of Danish oil.

With about 10 pieces now completed Daryl says that no overall theme for the sculpture has emerged, though one may. The smallest piece is about 2 inches high and the largest is a little over 5 feet. For variety he works with differing depths in the sculptures and has incorporated beadwork into two of the pieces. Asked if he has names or titles for his scupltures Daryl answered, "No, why should I spoil the potential fun of the observer in interpreting the work?" Asked if he has sold any pieces, he replied that the question "feels like somebody asking if I would sell my child." But he adds, "I'd like to have more opportunies to exhibit the work."

Recently the Libraries offered Daryl that opportunity with a small exhibit in the Holland display case. For a look at some of the pieces from that show, point your web browser to http://www.wsulibs.wsu.edu/general/exhibits/daryl.htm

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