Artist finds

niche making

SUPER BOWLS

Elford has found his way back to his childhood pas-

Aer NEARLY a lifetime of working with wood Bill

sion and in the process has ‘‘bowled over’’ the ar-

tistic community and himself.

As a boy Elford spent the sum-
mers helping a friend’s father build
picnic tables. Today he has
polished those rudimentary skills,
Carving out a niche for himself as a
wood turner.

Using a grab bag of local and
exotic wood — cocobolo, (a Mex-
ican species of rosewood), labur-
num, madrone burl (from the
madrona tree), satin walnut and

from Atrica, imbuya wood —
Elford is quickly making a name
for himself as a creator of prized
handmade ‘super bowls.”’

In just a short time his strikingly
smooth containers have caught
the eye of a number of Lower
Mainland art galleries. Elford's tal-
ent has also caught the attention of
the media — a prominent Toronto
home magazine is planning to
feature him and his bowls in an

NEWS photo Terry Peters

BILL ELFORD carves his beautiful handmade wooden bowls in his

North Vancouver studio.

Horseshoe Bay’s

tm

A

RESTAURANT

There is more to Kirin Japanese (Sushi)
Restaurant than its fabulous location
and breathtaking view.

Enjoy all your favourite dishes
and some new ones too.

Just 15 minutes from North Vancouver.
Enjoy a scenic drive to Horseshoe Bay.

The Place of Happiness and Good Times
Located at the foot of the B.C. Ferry Terminal

Open for Lunch 11:30 3:00, Dinner 5:00-10.30

Take out service available
6342 Bay Street, West Van

Reservations recommended

in Horseshoe Bay

921-6300

upcoming issue.

All of this comes as goad news
to Elford, who seems nothing short
of mesmerized over his recent
luck. A surprised look comes over
his face each time a new success is
mentioned.

Wood-turning, after all, was
always just a hobby: photography
had been his money-making ca-
reer for the past 17 years.

After receiving a diploma in
photography, design and film
production from Ottawa’s Algon-
quin College in 1973, Elford
worked for Museums Canada and
later as a medical photographer
for Ottawa Civic Hospital.

But when a job with a Van-
couver hospital fell through, he

Grouse Mo

If you're feeling the need
average feed, now’s the time. And this is the place
(3700 feet above average, to be exact).

This year, our Seafood Feast features fresh
oysters, clams, mussels, Dungeness crab, jumbo
prawns and Atlantic lobster-just to tickle your
tastebuds. And Jane Etherington -just to tickle
the ivories for your dining and dancing pleasure.

Once again, it’s an all buffet style affair. So
should you overindulge, it’s okay. You can always

EVELYN
JACOB _

spotlight feature

turned to his childhood hobby.

Although Elford still considers
wood-turning a hobby — ‘‘I still
want to be a photographer,” he
insists — for now, he is hoping
his work will catch on locally.

A selection of howls are on sale
at the annual 5-day Circle Craft

untain:

blame it on the mountain air.

November 9, 10, 11. $25 per person.

haclusive of Skyvide and buffet.

For reservations call 986-NEST.

foran above

17 - Wednesday, November 8, 1989 - North Shore News

Christmas Fair at the Trade and
Convention Centre beginning to-
day, and some of his work will be
displayed alongside the creations
of 25 top B.C. artists at a special
Circle Craft Market exhibit.

Although taking pictures has
now taken a back seat to wood-
turning, Elford says he is able to
apply his photography skills to his
new art. ‘With both you are
working with shapes and the way
light falls on an object,"’ he
observes.

Elford likes to talk about his craft
but cringes at the thought of ex-
plaining his technique. Basically, it
involves taking a rough chunk of
wood, cutting it into a circle and
attaching it to a lathe.

As the wood rotates, pieces of
unwanted wood get shaved away.
Once the desired shape is attained
the piece is left to dry for two to
four months, depending on the
type of wood.

The tricky part is making sure
that the wood doesn’t warp or

See Trees
Page 19