Larry Bishop and Teresa Zook featured at Backstreet Gallery
Backstreet Gallery presents the outstanding duo of master woodworker Larry Bishop and weaver extraordinaire Teresa Zook, who are the featured artists for August. Their reception will be held on 2nd Saturday, August 10, at the Gallery, 1421 Bay Street, from 3 to 5 p.m. Jeff Lovejoy serenades you with easy-listening guitar music.
Bishop’s woodwork consists of segmented, inlaid, and other types of turnings and carvings that result in art, furniture, and assemblages. He works with various woods from around the world, especially those from the Pacific Northwest.
The beauty, grain, and natural colors of wood inspire the creation of the segmentation or inlaid process, where Bishop uses these qualities to produce intricate patterns or simple linear designs. Other patterns and designs are geometric and reminiscent of Indian ornamentation. Each is a one-of-a-kind piece.
Though beautifully decorative, his work may also be practical, such as a rolling pin, peppermill, writing pen, or jewelry case. Some are impressive large pieces, and all have superb finishes.
Over time, Bishop has honed his techniques and skills to the masterful quality used in his current exceptional art.
Being a native Oregonian raised in Elkton, Bishop studied forestry and worked in the timber industry, which naturally influenced his work with wood.
Teresa Zook retired to Oregon and found, “a happy place with room around me to feel the freedom that stimulates the creative juices.” So, she followed her mantra that it is never too late for your creativity to blossom. After trying other art media, she took a weaving class, then transferred her talents and passion to weaving.
Most of her distinctive artworks are attached to driftwood. Teresa and driftwood artist Denise Diamond combined their talents, pairing her weaving with wood sculptures with alluring results.
To begin, Teresa chooses a color scheme and then weaves on one of her table-sized looms. She chooses yarns of different hues, textures, and widths to weave into each distinctive piece. Her pieces range from simple color and texture designs to subtle scenes.
“All of my final creations,” she says, “are a result of what I see and feel during the process––my total experience.” Let her beautiful, colorful woven pieces bring a smile to your face.
Go to Backstreet’s website, backstreetgallery.org, to view more excellent examples of Larry’s and Teresa’s work.