The Citizen, 2003-07-30, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2003.
Unique artwork
Gordon Shobbrook of Londesborough found an answer to
early retirement with his intarsia art, a unique form of
woodworking that incorporates a variety of wood in
different colours for one creation. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
Retirement
brings new hobby
for local man
Dolphins, dogs, birds, flowers and
the odd fruit bowl abound in the
Londesborough home of Gordon and
Darlene Shobbrook alongside a
“Bug”
Being advised to retire early for
health reasons, Gordon pondered
how he would fill all his time. He had
always enjoyed working with wood
and has turned his hand to magazine
racks, shadow boxes, hot mats, etc.
Grandson Ryan has spent hours
playing wit his own working fleet of
construction equipment crafted by
Gordon from pictures.
However, it was through a chance
conversation with a friend that
Gordon became hooked on intarsia
woodcraft. Intarsia woodcraft can
best be described as a type of inlaid
woodworking, much as marble and
stone has been inlaid in buildings for
hundreds of years.
Pieces of wood are cut and shaped
according to a pattern and sanded (by
hand and with a small belt sander) to
fit snugly together. Then three coats
of finish/varnish are applied to each
piece. All the prepared pieces are
glued onto a backing sheet of
mahogany cut according to the
pattern template to create a wall
hanging or plaque.
A real understanding of specialty
woods is evident in Gordon’s work.
Rather than staining wood to get the
various colours/effects he wants,
Gordon uses the natural colours of
wood to create the features of each
plaque. A specialty wood shop in
London is a favourite source.
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He explained that some woods,
like cedar, can have many different
shades, grains, features, etc. Holly,
the whitest of woods, was used by
Gordon for the flower petals in a
hummingbird woodcraft while the
bird’s ruby throat was cut from
bloodwood.
The same bloodwood was a perfect
choice for a red cardinal in another
hanging.
Two to three weeks of work go into
each pattern, depending on the
number and size of the pieces. The
aforementioned Bug, a crafted
Volkswagen, has 115 pieces
complete with moveable windshield
wipers. In the past eight years
Gordon estimates he has made about
a hundred hangings.
In conversation with Gord, it was
obvious he finds this a rewarding
hobby - watching each new piece
take on its own individuality. Some
intarsia pieces are given as gifts
while others are donated for
auctions, door prizes, etc.
While he does take custom orders,
he cautions people to recognize the
cost of the finished product reflects
the cost of the patterns ($12 - $15
each), the specialty woods required
and the time and labour involved.
Gordon recently showed his
unique creations on the lawn of
Blyth’s Memorial Hall where they
received a good deal of attention and
rightly so. Darlene claims her
husband is a perfectionist about his
craft/hobby and that is evident in the
finished products.
PEOPLE AROUND
LONDESBORO
By BRENDA
RADFORD
Call
523-4296
The sympathy of the community is
extended to Doug and Karen
Dolmage and family on the death of
Karen’s mother Verna Jackson of
Goderich. Your prayers and concern
will ease their grieving during this
time of mourning.
Mike and Shannon Clark and
children have moved from the
former home of Shannon’s
grandparents, to a home in Clinton.
The move brings Shannon 10
minutes closer to her work in
Hensail but villagers will miss the
family’s presence here.
However, we offer best wishes for
the future.
The Londesborough Community
Hall was certainly a beehive of
activity this past weekend. Friday
evening, July 25 the Happy Gang
Seniors held their monthly Old Time
Seniors dance there.
Most of us recognize this line from
a song of a bygone era “love and
marriage go together like a horse and
carriage”. Well, love led to the
marriage on Saturday of Jeffrey
Johnston and Lauren McKinnon.
Rev. Bauman officiated at the
ceremony at Londesborough United
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Church in the late afternoon.
The newlyweds toured the village
following the service in, you
guessed it, a horse and carriage.
Driver/owner Graham Jackson
safely delivered the couple to the
community hall for a reception.
Love and marriage certainly
figured into the use of the building
on Sunday afternoon, the 25th
wedding anniversary celebration for
Ken and Marlene Armstrong.
On July 28, 1978 a quiet wedding
was officiated at Londesborough
United Church by Rev. Stan
MacDonald uniting Marlene
Thurlow and Ken Armstrong. The
couple was attended by Marlene’s
daughter, Tami Taylor and Ken’s
son, David.
After 25 years the two families of
four and five children have blended
into one. There are now 23
grandchildren.
A celebratory open house at the
Londesborough Community Hall on
Sunday, July 27 was well attended
by family members and friends. As
well as local persons there to offer
congratulations guests came from
London, Sault Ste.Marie and
Saskatoon.
Ken was raised in the
Londesborough farmhouse where
Dave and Karen have raised their
FROM LONDESBORO
10 Tips
four children. Ken and Marlene live
in the home they built on a farm
property just east of Londesborough.
They are regular attendees at
community events.
Services will resume „ at
Londesborough United Church at 11
a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3.
for a cleaner
environment
www.pitch-in.ca/TenTips.htm
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• Hard Red Spring Wheat