Ralph Michaelis
biography |
portfolio | artists listing
b. 1959, Miami Beach, FL
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
Hawaii State Foundation for Culture and the Arts, Hawaii
National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2006-07 Turned & Sculptured Wood, del Mano Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2004 Hawaii's Wood Show, Honolulu, HI
2001 Big Island Woodturners' Show, Hilo, HI
2000-03 Big Island Wood Show, Hilo, HI
2000 Hawaii's Wood Show, Honolulu, HI
1999 Big Island Wood Show, Kona, HI
1997-98 Hawaii Wood Guild Show, Kailua, Kona, HI
Big Island Woodturners' Show, Hilo, Hawaii
Hawaii's Wood Show, Hawaii Forest Industry Association, Honolulu, HI
1996 Big Island Woodturners' Annual, Hilo, HI
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Multiple award-winning artist Ralph Michaelis lives on the island of Hawaii where there is a long tradition of excellence in the craft of woodturning. He turns Hawaii’s beautiful woods into one of a kind works of art and, has been recognized for his exciting interpretation of the turned wood form. His unique, "…liquid, organic forms" have been said to be "…pushing the boundaries of woodturning in Hawaii". Michaelis is a member of the American Association of Woodturners, the Hawaii forest Industry Association, the Hawaii Wood Guild and, the Big Island Woodturners’ Club.
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
I am mostly self-taught, but Hawaii is the cross roads of the Pacific, so many world class wood turning artists stop by on their travels to demonstrate their work for us. In this way I’ve received an excellent education in the technical aspects of woodworking. Hawaii is also the permanent home to some of the world’s most renowned wood turners. Hanging out in the shops and studios of these great turners has been the best form of education and this aloha is the essence of the big island’s energetic wood art scene. We all love the wood we work. That love fuels talent, which creates beauty. This is how we have become to wood what Murano is to glass.
My pieces are intended to challenge the viewer to think about more than the beautiful wood: The medium from which my work is sculpted is alive; it grows from an earth that is alive, seething and moving beneath us. My most important goal as an artist is to remind people of this interconnectedness between life and art and, that here in Hawaii at least, the distinction between the two is nonsensical.
The final steps in the finishing process are several coats of the highest quality, microcrystalline, acid-free Renaissance™ brand paste wax. This is either buffed to a high gloss or, hand rubbed depending on the wood and the desired patina. This finish is extremely durable, resists fingerprints, and should require only occasional touch-up. Dust regularly with a soft cloth. Water should leave no marks if removed right away.
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
Hawaii State Foundation for Culture and the Arts, Hawaii
National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2006-07 Turned & Sculptured Wood, del Mano Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2004 Hawaii's Wood Show, Honolulu, HI
2001 Big Island Woodturners' Show, Hilo, HI
2000-03 Big Island Wood Show, Hilo, HI
2000 Hawaii's Wood Show, Honolulu, HI
1999 Big Island Wood Show, Kona, HI
1997-98 Hawaii Wood Guild Show, Kailua, Kona, HI
Big Island Woodturners' Show, Hilo, Hawaii
Hawaii's Wood Show, Hawaii Forest Industry Association, Honolulu, HI
1996 Big Island Woodturners' Annual, Hilo, HI
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Multiple award-winning artist Ralph Michaelis lives on the island of Hawaii where there is a long tradition of excellence in the craft of woodturning. He turns Hawaii’s beautiful woods into one of a kind works of art and, has been recognized for his exciting interpretation of the turned wood form. His unique, "…liquid, organic forms" have been said to be "…pushing the boundaries of woodturning in Hawaii". Michaelis is a member of the American Association of Woodturners, the Hawaii forest Industry Association, the Hawaii Wood Guild and, the Big Island Woodturners’ Club.
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
I am mostly self-taught, but Hawaii is the cross roads of the Pacific, so many world class wood turning artists stop by on their travels to demonstrate their work for us. In this way I’ve received an excellent education in the technical aspects of woodworking. Hawaii is also the permanent home to some of the world’s most renowned wood turners. Hanging out in the shops and studios of these great turners has been the best form of education and this aloha is the essence of the big island’s energetic wood art scene. We all love the wood we work. That love fuels talent, which creates beauty. This is how we have become to wood what Murano is to glass.
My pieces are intended to challenge the viewer to think about more than the beautiful wood: The medium from which my work is sculpted is alive; it grows from an earth that is alive, seething and moving beneath us. My most important goal as an artist is to remind people of this interconnectedness between life and art and, that here in Hawaii at least, the distinction between the two is nonsensical.
The final steps in the finishing process are several coats of the highest quality, microcrystalline, acid-free Renaissance™ brand paste wax. This is either buffed to a high gloss or, hand rubbed depending on the wood and the desired patina. This finish is extremely durable, resists fingerprints, and should require only occasional touch-up. Dust regularly with a soft cloth. Water should leave no marks if removed right away.