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April 7, 2000
Ericksonsculptsin woodBy SARA SYVERSON Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- New Ulm native Chris Erickson, is this month's featured C.A.N.U. (Council for the Arts in New Ulm) artist at the Kiesling Gallery, downtown New Ulm. Erickson's showing opens this Saturday with a reception from 2-4 p.m. and and continues until the end of April. The reception is open to the public without charge. Erickson, a creator of wood sculptures, moved back to New Ulm from Oregon last summer after living there since 1978. "I really enjoy it," said Erickson, "I'm glad I came back." Wood sculpting began as a hobby for Erickson -- and somehow "it got away from me," he said. He has been a professional wood sculpting for the seven years. He sells his wood sculptures mostly through art galleries in the western United States and also receives commissions for works. Erickson taught himself how to sculpt wood one winter when he was unable to work in Oregon. He has developed a personalized style. "Some people have told me they have never seen this style before," said Erickson, "I didn't know if that was a good thing at first, but in the long run I think it was." In the western United States he found redwood burl, maple burl and juniper to use for his work. Burl, the gnarled knot of wood found on some tree trunks or wood roots, has a distinctive texture compared to other wood grains. Erickson first finishes the wood, and then he uses a high speed drill to create the desired design. Nature themes, such as trees, buffalo, and birds, emerged from his sculpturing artistry. "The enjoyment to me is seeing something in the wood," said Erickson, "It's real time consuming ... It's a long process." Erickson works out of the basement in his home. He has hopes to eventually find a larger work space,. A majority of his sculptures are done in the winter. Since moving back to Minnesota, Erickson has been painting houses with a friend as well as working on his wood sculptures. Erickson is anxious to incorporate woods from the area in his sculptures. "I'm on the lookout for local woods," said Erickson. Horizon Gallery in downtown New Ulm offers Erickson's sculptures for sale.
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