Photo above and first three below credit: Patti Foley
Product photos: Contributed
When you look at a piece of wood what do you see? Firewood perhaps?
That is not what Sam Meandro sees. The life that once coursed through those magnificent branches, to Sam, has not left. It is merely evolving. And he can help with that.
Sam is a woodturner. It is a skilled craft that monuments in ancient Egypt indicate dates back to the 6th century AD.
A long-time Caledon resident Sam lives on a beautiful rural property, nestled between Belfountain and Terra Cotta.
When he walks through forests seeing trees ravaged by emerald ash borer, Dutch elm disease, storm and wind damage, Sam knows he can breathe new life into some of that wood.
His deep love for the natural environment factors into his passion for woodturning. He is extremely skilled at repurposing wood into something functional, decorative and, quite often, part of a family legacy. Imagine a downed maple in the front yard of a family home becoming a beautiful table centrepiece to be treasured in the family, forever.
“I like to think I’m saving these trees from the wood-chipper” says Sam. “The majority of the wood I work with is salvaged – felled by disease, decay, wind, or sacrificed to make room for hydro lines.”
Ash, maple, walnut, oak and cherry are his favourites to work with. Sam, who has an undeniable artisanal appreciation for detail, deliberately crafts his pieces with their natural imperfections intact. “I particularly enjoy the challenge of incorporating these “defects” into a bowl, because that is what adds to each piece’s uniqueness.”
There are many steps involved into bringing a bowl to life. The species of wood, size of the piece, and whether natural edge, live edge, or finished edge, are all considerations to be made before even starting what is a surprising lengthy and involved process.
Amazingly this talented woodturner is self-taught. Books, in particular ones by experts like the well-known Australian woodturner Richard Raffan, guided him in the early days. As did other local woodturners and artisans in the Caledon area. “The Alton Mill is an amazing place where I was inspired to turn. As well, attending Artisan Markets have been very helpful and inspirational” he adds.
“There is no doubt that my engineering background and tool & die experience helped in understanding the relationship between tools and wood” Sam smiles. “Still, I have to admit that sharpening, tool geometry and presentation to the wood can be a steep learning curve. Spinning wood at high speeds can be dangerous, being safe is paramount. Sharp tools and proper gear are your best friends.”
How dedicated is Sam to his passion? Well, he has all the tools – chainsaw, bandsaw, hand tools, dust extractor, and not one, but two, lathes – the second is a new 700-pound “baby” he added this fall. It is all housed in a heated workshop, that he built himself, in his barn.
From bowl blanks cut with a chainsaw, through multiple steps and drying periods, twice turned, sanding, and hand-tooling there still remains the final finishing steps.
“Respecting the natural beauty of the wood is really important to me” Sam emphasizes. “I take great care to finish my pieces”. Sam applies multiple coats of environmentally friendly oils, such as tung oil or linseed oil, and then buffs with wax to achieve a natural hand-rubbed feel and lustre. The end product needs to cure two additional weeks before its ready for use. Sam signs the foot of the bowl with a pyrography pen.
Sam is not just skilled at creating beautiful bowls, he also turns a number of other items. He also makes hollow forms, charcuterie boards, kitchenware and even ornaments like penguins, Christmas trees and birdhouses.
Usually, the decision about what a piece of wood is to become rests on how it speaks to him. He truly has an artist’s eye that allows him to see the potential in what for many is a simple chunk of wood.
“Don’t insult the wood” is a favourite Richard Raffan quote that Sam says sticks with him. “That rings true with my beliefs. Leave the wood as nature intended it to be” he adds. In fact, that very thought is the basis for his tag line – Design by Nature. Looking around his shop I can see that nature is respected here. And in each and every piece.
Sam will be exhibiting at a number of seasonal craft markets (see below) but if you want to see his work sooner you can find him on Facebook and Instagram
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodturningbysammeandro
Instagram: https://instagram.com/woodturningbysammeandro/
You can also contact Sam at [email protected]
See more product pictures below.
Markets:
Sunday November 12 – 9am – 4pm
Christmas in Georgetown, Handmade Craft Fair – Christ the King Secondary School, 161 Guelph St., Georgetown
Saturday November 18 – 11am to 5pm
(BAO) Brampton Arts Organization, Winter Artists Market – Springdale Library, 10705 Bramalea Rd., Brampton
The post Caledon Woodturner Sam Meandro: Below The Bark appeared first on Just Sayin’ Caledon.