He didn’t know it at the time, but Loyd Walter’s “canvas” surrounded him, beckoned him, since he was a child.
Walter is now 83, having retired from a long career teaching engineering and technology. But from his early upbringing, the signs were all around him. Different types of trees produced different types of wood. And woodwork was a long-time hobby for Walter that now has become his passion.
“Raised in the eastern slope of Washington’s Cascade Mountains in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, a country-ranch beginning helped me develop a sense of practicality and self-reliance,” Walter said. “I was born and raised in Western Washington State. My father’s family were pioneers in the Methow Valley.”
Walter has made it from the Methow Valley to Laguna Beach, where he is one of 140 selected artists asked to present their work at the Festival of Arts through Aug. 31.
From an early age, Walter could see the beauty of wood in its natural state. So while others take wood and make it functional, Walter simply aims to bring out its essence.
This orientation leads to natural and bark edge work. Walter works mostly with found wood rather than with lumber because the challenge is to realize the shape and design that will bring out the natural beauty of the wood. Each piece is a unique creation and during turning the character and spirit is revealed.
“I am constantly discovering wood with new qualities, character, difficulties and opportunities,” said Walter, who estimates he’s worked with more than 40 different species of wood.
“This challenges me to develop new approaches, techniques and skills. The enjoyment, challenge and fascination I get from woodworking is derived from the characteristics and beauty of the wood itself. Wood, with its infinite variations of grain, texture and color continually gives me the potential to create pieces of interest and grace.”
Walter says his inspiration isn’t tangible; it simply comes from living a long life and observing every step of the way.
“(His inspiration comes from) a lifetime developing a sense of grace in line and proportion, plus a desire to show the unique quality and character of each piece of wood,” he said.
Walter was always about the art and not about artist competitions, but he was convinced his work was worth displaying in such a fashion.
Yosh Sugiyama, a nationally recognized artist, advised Walter in 2006 to enter juried shows. Consequently, Walter participated in and won several awards in a number of shows and continues to enter competitions. But he is clear that the work and creativity are the motive and pleasure of his woodworking. The competitions, he said, add extra discipline and challenge to his art.
Walter’s awards over the years include winning at San Diego’s “Design in Wood” and winning Best of Division at the 2006 California State Fair. His work can be seen at Northwest Woodworkers Gallery in Seattle, Gallery M in Half Moon Bay, Highlight Gallery in Mendocino, Carter House Gallery in Redding, Denise Oliver Gallery on Lake Coeur D’Alene in Harrison, Idaho, Skyline Gallery in Tucson, Ariz., and Highland Art Center in Weaverville, Calif.
GENERAL FESTIVAL INFORMATION
Recently voted one of the top five art festivals in the nation by USA Today readers, the Festival of Arts is one of the most highly acclaimed juried fine art shows featuring the artwork of 140 award-winning artists. Patrons may enjoy the work of exhibiting artists, demonstrations and art workshops, daily art tours, live music, special events, on-site restaurants and much more. For a full listing of events, visit LagunaFestivalofArts.org.
DATES & TIMES
July 5 – August 31, 2016
Open daily from 10am – 11:30pm
Early closing August 27 at 1:30pm
TICKET INFORMATION
General Admission: Weekdays $8, Weekends $12
Students & Seniors: Weekdays $5, Weekends $8
Free Admission for Children 12 and under, Military, and Laguna Beach Residents.
Passport to the Arts:
A special promotion (funded in part by Bank of America): Passport to the Arts for only $24. Includes unlimited admission all summer long to the Festival of Arts, the Sawdust Art Festival and Laguna Art-A-Fair. Enjoy works of art by more than 500 artists, 300 hands-on workshops, dozens of special events, plus a one time, all-day free parking pass with each Passport purchased. Order online at www.LagunaBeachPassport.com. Passports also available for purchase on-site at each festival location during the summer. Offer excludes Pageant of the Masters. Valid June 24 – August 31, 2016.
SPONSORS
The Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters are sponsored in part by
Southern California Acura Dealers, Fidelity Investments, KOST Radio 103.5,
Orange County Register and the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel.
LOCATION
Festival of Arts Grounds
650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
FOR INFORMATION & TICKETS
Meghan Perez
Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator