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Vol. II , Issue I |
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 By Sam & Phyllis Turner Tryyn (pronounced Treen): a medieval term, meaning "of the tree": anything made of wood having to do with the preparation, consumption or storage of food.
"To be used for edge-of-your-seat mysteries." "To be used for trashy romance novels." These are the labels on some of the most exotic hand-carved wooden bookmarks from the scraps of William V. Chappelow's marvelous workshop. Taking an oak tree's twisty limb, which fell on his property over twenty years ago, Chappelow fashioned a primitive giant spoon, carving his way to international acclaim.
His work can be found in fine galleries across the country from Washington D.C.'s Smithsonian to San Diego's Mingei International Folk Art Museum, and many private collections, including British royalty and presidents of the United States.
"Every single line of each object comes from the curves and lines already alive in the wood," Chappelow says. "That's the excitement and charisma of each piece, the complex nature of curves and the movement." The grain and shape of the limbs, branches and logs guide the handmade creation of these useful, incredibly beautiful culinary implements. No patterns are used, so each piece is one-of-a-kind, signed and year dated.
His repertoire ranges from sleekly styled Brie knives out of rich red and black cocobolo to sculptural ladles of lemon and rice paddles of Australian lacewood. Chappelow also makes a vast medley of tasting spoons, stirrers and pizza knives as well as avocado scoops and peanut butter paddles. "I try to let each tree limb dictate how each piece occurs," says Chappelow, a quiet, thoughtful individual. "The shape of the wood, its color, its grain and even imperfections like knot holes, all help determine the form something will take." He begins by examining the wood's natural form. Then, he may fashion a typical knife or spoon by sawing a short log in half to see what particular grains might contribute to the finished work. An avid environmentalist, Chappelow's scraps are turned into small jam and mustard knives that fill the more affordable end of his inventory. They sell from $6.50, while larger stir fryers and spoons are about $35. Smaller pieces of wood become bookmarks and charismatic wooden jewelry, which are distinctly similar in flavor to his utensils.
"A lot of people want my work to use for decoration," Chappelow said. "But I like to think that every piece that goes out of the shop can be used for years and will even look improved after it's seen some cooking wear."
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Sam and Phyllis Turner are freelance writers from Tucson, Arizona who are always looking for unusual places of interest. |
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Chappelow's gallery is filled with sensual utensils whose flowing designs, natural shapes, silky smooth finish and exotic wood grains stimulate the imagination. Hundreds of varieties of world-wide wood are used. There are pieces carved from ebony, purpleheart, libidibia and tulipwood, as well as acacia, lemon and plum - over 250 exotic and local woods.
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