Village Fine Art Gallery, Artist Ralph Watts

Ralph Watts Ralph Watts is a lifelong woodworker and recenty has switched from building houses, furniture, and other useful household items to concentrating on wood turning. A mechanical engineer and nuclear garbage man by profession, Ralph finds the design freedom offered by the lathe a satisying contrast to the rigid requirements of engineering. His creative side is reflected in the variety and somewhat whimsical nature of many turnings adorned with carvings and other improvements to the "standard" turned bowl. Ralph and his wife, Carmen, reside near Knoxville in a home they built in 1997. Like many other couples decompressing from the hectic pace of the business world, they are now focusing on work that brings satisfaction -- especially from having people give them an extraordinarily nice compliment by purchasing their handcrafted products. The artistic process is deeply satisfying for Ralph. He says, "The Zen Buddhist philosophy emphasizes reaching a state of mind where only you and the task at hand reside in your awareness. This is the state of mind I try to reach while turning wood or carving in my studio. Some days the hours quietly disappear into the work and I am surprised when I stop and find myself ankle deep in wood shavings. If the piece is nicely shaped and if the grain and texture of the wood combine to make you want to hold it or just enjoy its unique look, the energy you have expended is transformed into a calm joy."
*Anemone* Maple and Pear Wood 8"H x 4"W
*Cloud Connection* Walnut 12"H x 8"W
*Night Wing* Walnut 6"H x 11"W
*Red Connections* Walnut 7"H x 7.5"W
*Tangled Dark* Wall piece in Walnut 22"H
*Pueblo Sunset* Box Elder 7"H
*Intrigue* Maple 7"H
*Maori Relections* Walnut 4"H
*Maori Thoughts* Butternut 5"H
*Tendrils* Mulberry 5"H
*Gem* Oak 3"H
*Old Blue* Maple 10"H
*Pod* Walnut 9" Long
*Sweet Flower* Maple 7"H
*Gnarley Claro* Walnut 5"H
*Geometric* Sweet Gum 7"H
*Hobbitt Highrise Small* Maple 7"H
*Hobbitt Highrise Large* Maple 12"H
*Mesquite Hollow* 3"H
*Dipper 2* Cherry 13" L
*Celtic Knots* Maple 3"H X 11"W