Chuck Cooke

CustomWoodChuck

226 Sales 5 out of 5 stars

Fridley Minnesota, United States

78

59 Following 78 Followers

Original turned wood wand designs by Chuck Cooke. I have an eclectic woodworking and art background. I have dabbled in all kinds of custom woodworking over the past 40 years. I have done numerous contracted and commissioned works. I have found enjoyment working with wood and making things with my hands.

At an early age I was drawing and oil painting. With an interest in art, I went to the University of Minnesota where I earned my Bachelor of Fine Art in painting and drawing. In my painting and drawing and I am a colorist. I guess this is why I am attracted to the brightly colored woods that I turn on the lathe into wands.

Why wands with a purpose? Well they really do not need to have any purpose other than to be admired. But what I am talking about are the magical qualities that Wicca’s and Pagan’s attribute to the different wood types. Each wand may be designed for specific tasks or goals according to the woods magical qualities. Sometimes when designing I think about this. But usually for purely aesthetic reasons I like to mix and match the different woods. When designing I think about curves and straight, glossy and dull, smooth and sharp. I like the balances of the wood between dark and light, textured grain and plain, brightly colored and earth tone. Still much is left to chance. The woods characteristics are hidden within the core of the turning blank. The final beauty of the wood is unknown until the wood is turned away on the lathe revealing it. This is what keeps me coming back to the lathe to find the hidden beauty of the wand in what was once a block of wood. That’s Magic!