Posted by: Victor_Claveau on 02/20/2009 06:07 PM
Updated by: Victor_Claveau on 02/27/2009 05:43 PM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
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Introducing Harvey Zeugin and Intarsia and Welcome! ~by Victor Claveau
Valley Springs, CA....We would like to welcome Harvey Zeugin to our Advertising Family!.....A few years ago a friendly neighbor, Jack Pickens, introduced Harvey Zeugin to the ancient art of Intarsia; the making of decorative and pictorial mosaics by laying precious, exotic woods onto groundwork of solid wood. It was not long before Harvey became addicted to the “hobby” and since has become an accomplished intarsiatori...
    
Click on Photo Slide Show to See Some of Havey Zeugin's Wonderful Craftmanship!
Intarsia is the craft of using varied shapes, sizes and species of wood fitted together to create an almost 3-D inlaid, mosaic-like picture. It is thought that the word 'intarsia' is derived from the Latin word 'interserere' which means "to insert" and that it was originally developed in Siena, Italy in the 13th century by crafters using inlays of ivory inserted in wood as well as inlays of wood inserted into wall murals, table tops and other furniture.
Intarsia works are seen in the histories of Ancient Egypt, Rome, Persia, Japan, Germany and Italy. It is an artwork that has almost been forgotten; now it's gradually coming back.
Harvey Zeugin working on one of his projects.
No two Intarsias will be the same as colors and grains structure differ. The traditional process, involving many long and demanding steps, is both expensive, and painstaking. The lighthouse creation pictured below took 55 hours to complete.
It all begins with a pattern. This may be purchased or the artist can make one of his own design. Next is the selection of the various woods; colors, textures, and wood grain have to be considered. All selections of wood on the project are natural and not stained. The pieces are separately, delicately and carefully planed, cut, then shaped to give the project a three dimensional appearance. The cutting of the materials is a painstaking process as each piece has to fit ever so precisely. All pieces are carefully sanded. Sand too much off a piece of wood and you will have to begin again. Leave too much and it won’t fit the pattern. The shaped pieces are then assembled into a beautiful mosaic, fixed onto a solid back, finished with four layers of high luster crystal sheen or Danish Oil and displayed.
The pattern of Harvey’s latest project.
The Zeugin’s are avid fisherfolk, and after a fishing trip with neighbor Jack Pickens, Pickens presented Harvey an Intarsia jumping trout that he had crafted. Harvey hung it in his home and the more he looked at it the more intrigued he became. Jack agreed to teach Harvey and a passion for Intarsia was born. In just two short years, Harvey has truly mastered the craft.
While each of Harvey’s creations is beautiful in its own right, the piece that struck me was the rearing stallion. Each piece of wood fit perfectly, with the grain of each piece blending in such a way as to appear that the entire piece flowed as one. The head of the stallion was meticulously fitted together to produce the overall effect of power and majesty. This is a work of art that can never be effectively shown in a picture.
There is no way that Harvey can be effectively compensated for the time and skill required to do each piece. He does it for the love of the work and has the patience of Job. I asked Harvey’s wife, Jan how she felt about Harvey’s workshop mistress of his and she said, “I think it’s great, I think it’s wonderful. It has been such a great hobby for him. He enjoys it so much and I love to see him happy like that. I just love the work, and want to keep every piece. It is really hard for me to give them up as each piece is so beautiful”.
It did not take long for Harvey to develop a fascination for various woods, their textures and colors. He has a stack of approximately 50 different woods with exotic names such as, Imbuia, Jatoba, Bubinga, Yellowheart, American Holly, and Goncalo, and is continually searching for exotic woods from around the world. Most of the materials used come from the United States, South America and Africa, but from many other areas as well. Surprisingly enough, he said he buys a lot of his wood through the Internet.
Patterns cost between $12 and $90 and there are thousands from which to choose. The artist is only limited by his or her imagination. If you have a favorite pet, Harvey can craft an Intarsia using a standard pattern, but using wood colors that will match the coloring of your pet from a photo that you provide.
Now is the time to purchase one of Harvey’s pieces, as he is relatively unknown as an intarsiatori. It will not be long before there will be such a demand for his work that each piece will increase dramatically in value and become a collector’s item.
For pricing and additional information go to:
www.knightsky.com
E-mail: harvjanscrafts@knightsky.com
Phone: (209) 772-9062
Victor Claveau
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