Jerry Kermode
biography |
portfolio | artists listing
b. 1945 San Gabriel, California
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts, Racine, WI
Governor and Mrs. John Waihe’e
Punahou School President Rod McPhee
His Majesty King Taufa’ahau Topou IV of Tonga
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
2004 Aimone Duncan, Katherine, 500 Wood Bowls: Bold & Original Design
Blending Tradition and Innovation, Lark Books, Asheville, NC
Christensen, Kip W. & Nish, Dale L. Beneath The Bark: Twenty-Five
Years of Woodturning, Utah Woodturning Symposium, Inc
Jeanne Huber, The Ultimate Garage, Sunset Books Publishing
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jerry Kermode is a full time artist and artisan working out of his studio in Sebastopol, California with his partner and wife, Deborah.
Jerry developed an early fascination with form and function watching and riding the waves in Huntington Beach, California. During childhood summers he built small boats to skim tidal flats and surf small waves. Since then he has shaped surfboards, boats, world-class sailboard centerboards and houses, consistently bringing forms from the sea to his work.
In 1964 Deborah met Jerry in her hometown of Laguna Beach, California. They married in 1967 while Jerry was serving in the Navy, and in 1970 shared the perfect first business, managing a surf shop on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. With a strong background in theatre and an equal love of the sea, Deborah contributed creativity in her approach to life. They have been working together ever since.
Returning to California, Jerry developed his fascination with turning while specializing in Victorian restoration and boat work. In 1978 the Kermodeís moved from Santa Cruz to Hawaiíi, where they continued their woodworking/remodeling business while raising their son, Walker and enjoying the openness of beach and sea at their feet. In 1984 Jerry began turning bowls from freshly harvested trees; the cherished ìcalabashî culture in the Islands was the perfect place to nurture his new passion. He became a full time turner in 1991. The Kermodeís work has been commissioned by some of the most prestigious Hawaiian businesses and organizations, among them the HawaiíI International Film Festival, Punahou School and Crazy Shirts, Inc.
"We have a love affair with trees; their continued growth is as important as the joy of turning. I search out recycled trees and logs from sustainable harvesting operations; the vessel begins with the study of telltale signs in each log that may reveal hidden beauty. I hand carve each piece on a lathe, using the grain of the wood and its character traits as my guide. My fascination with form grew out of a love of the sea. Waves and wind are a constant source of inspiration.
The vessel is rough turned to 1/2î thick, allowed to dry for many months and then finish turned to a thickness appropriate to the design. Finally it is sanded to a 1200 grit finish and Danish oiled. Deborah administers the final finish: the piece is steel wooled and waxed. In this way the tree is allowed to extend itself beyond its rooted existence, through our hands into yours."
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts, Racine, WI
Governor and Mrs. John Waihe’e
Punahou School President Rod McPhee
His Majesty King Taufa’ahau Topou IV of Tonga
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
2004 Aimone Duncan, Katherine, 500 Wood Bowls: Bold & Original Design
Blending Tradition and Innovation, Lark Books, Asheville, NC
Christensen, Kip W. & Nish, Dale L. Beneath The Bark: Twenty-Five
Years of Woodturning, Utah Woodturning Symposium, Inc
Jeanne Huber, The Ultimate Garage, Sunset Books Publishing
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jerry Kermode is a full time artist and artisan working out of his studio in Sebastopol, California with his partner and wife, Deborah.
Jerry developed an early fascination with form and function watching and riding the waves in Huntington Beach, California. During childhood summers he built small boats to skim tidal flats and surf small waves. Since then he has shaped surfboards, boats, world-class sailboard centerboards and houses, consistently bringing forms from the sea to his work.
In 1964 Deborah met Jerry in her hometown of Laguna Beach, California. They married in 1967 while Jerry was serving in the Navy, and in 1970 shared the perfect first business, managing a surf shop on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. With a strong background in theatre and an equal love of the sea, Deborah contributed creativity in her approach to life. They have been working together ever since.
Returning to California, Jerry developed his fascination with turning while specializing in Victorian restoration and boat work. In 1978 the Kermodeís moved from Santa Cruz to Hawaiíi, where they continued their woodworking/remodeling business while raising their son, Walker and enjoying the openness of beach and sea at their feet. In 1984 Jerry began turning bowls from freshly harvested trees; the cherished ìcalabashî culture in the Islands was the perfect place to nurture his new passion. He became a full time turner in 1991. The Kermodeís work has been commissioned by some of the most prestigious Hawaiian businesses and organizations, among them the HawaiíI International Film Festival, Punahou School and Crazy Shirts, Inc.
"We have a love affair with trees; their continued growth is as important as the joy of turning. I search out recycled trees and logs from sustainable harvesting operations; the vessel begins with the study of telltale signs in each log that may reveal hidden beauty. I hand carve each piece on a lathe, using the grain of the wood and its character traits as my guide. My fascination with form grew out of a love of the sea. Waves and wind are a constant source of inspiration.
The vessel is rough turned to 1/2î thick, allowed to dry for many months and then finish turned to a thickness appropriate to the design. Finally it is sanded to a 1200 grit finish and Danish oiled. Deborah administers the final finish: the piece is steel wooled and waxed. In this way the tree is allowed to extend itself beyond its rooted existence, through our hands into yours."