Eric Nanson

THE ARTIST

Eric works in almost all media and disciplines.  He has done woodworking art, art furniture, metal art, ceramics, glass blowing, glass fusing, painting, jewellery, wearable art, product design, graphic design, photography, poetry and authored several books.

A Redding California native, Eric graduated from Chico State University, cum laude, with a degree in Design. Eric has been creating art and design for over 45 years, and has shown in many galleries and design venues all over the United States. 

As with most artists, he tends to delve into a certain media or disciplines and immerse himself in it for a period of time; and then move on to others. Working in so many mediums, when he conceives a piece, he is able to choose which mediums he will work with to produce the best result.

How did you get into working with wood?
My dad was a woodworker, mainly a wood turner; and I learned through working with him, how to manipulate wood.

What inspires your creations?
Contemporary, abstract art and nature are the main inspirations for my carved sculptural pieces. I love flowing, abstract, organic lines that cut through multiple planes, in elegant, sensual sweeps; undulating in aesthetic arcs and waves. I’m always looking for new shapes and forms to incorporate into my pieces.

What would you tell your younger self starting out on your artistic journey?
I don’t think I would tell my younger self much. I was so on fire when I was younger, and I don’t think I would change anything. I had the foresight when I was young, to make my art a hobby, and not a profession. I reasoned that you cannot fail at a hobby, and therefore you will always be free to make whatever you want. You risk getting pigeonholed as a professional artist/maker into making the same type of pieces over and over again. That can lead to burnout and possibly not enjoying the process anymore.  Also, there is some truth to the old term, “Starving artist,” and I didn’t want to have to rely on my art, to make money.

What is your favourite Arbortech tool and why?
My favourite Arbortech tool is the Mini Carver Power Tool. It allows me to sculpt in deep, hard to reach areas that would otherwise be nearly impossible to tackle.  From deep gouging cuts that hog lots of material, to delicate detailing, it does it all.  But I can also say the same about all the Arbortech tools in my arsenal.

If you were a type of wood what would you be and why?
If I was a type of wood, it would probably be plywood.  It’s made up of many layers, going in all different directions, and held together by the glue of life. It is practical, durable, dependable, readily available, and can be used to build a home.

To learn more about Eric Nanson, follow the links below.