WIW Gallery

Out of the Clay and Into the Wood

In the beginning, Janel was a potter. In 1990, she began to carve porcelain netsuke and ojime in addition to creating shallow relief carving on bowls, boxes, and vases. In love with the detail of netsuke and ojime, she started attending netuske conventions. The more she worked in porcelain, the more frustrated she became with its limitations.

"At first, I started arguing with myself about glazing. Then, I regretted having to commit the (carved pieces) to the fire."

Tree Fungus & Beetle
A beetle explores the underside of a tree fungus. Moose antler.
(#320 - 2000)
Larger with beetle 2 x 1.4 x 2 inches
Smaller 1.3 x 1 x .6 inches

The frustration mounted until, in 1993, she started carving a piece and it cracked. It was a good friend who may have unwittingly helped Janel turn the corner to carving in wood by sending her a piece of boxwood. She came up with the subject, Tree Frog and Spring Apple, and the rest, as they say, is history. Janel enjoys the "carvability" of wood and the detail that can be achieved in hardwoods versus porcelain. She is still learning about wood, and takes joy in discovering what she can get out of it. She also finds things in wood, like "the suggestion of water" that isn't available in porcelain.

Apple Blossom
An apple blossom is carved in shallow relief on the lid of this small manju style netsuke. Mammoth Tusk and African Blackwood.
(#327 - 2000)
1.2 x 1.2 x .3 inches