Artist Kristin LeVier is a former molecular biologist who creates work at the intersection of art, nature and science to remind us of our connection to the breathtaking spectacle of the natural world. Her organic carved and bent wood sculpture embodies an ethereal sense of motion. She spoke about her work in a TEDx talk on The Art of Science and in a PBS short feature. Her work has been exhibited widely and featured in books and magazines such as American Craft and American Woodturner. She teaches craft and design at symposia and craft schools including Anderson Ranch, Arrowmont and the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship. Her studio is nestled among stunning rolling hills in Moscow, Idaho.

Adding Sculptural Elements to Your Turnings
Learn methods for seamlessly adding sculptural elements to your turnings using simple joinery and carving techniques. Kristin will demonstrate how she creates curved appendages that emerge from turned objects and makes secure attachments for the leaves and feathers that wrap around her pieces. We’ll touch on design and modeling methods that allow you to create your most successful sculptural work.

Bending Wood Without Steam: Introduction to Compressed Hardwood
Compressed hardwood is regular hardwood that has undergone a treatment involving steam and compression, allowing it to be bent by hand while at room temperature. This amazing wood can be turned or added to woodturned objects to stunning effect. Kristin has been using compressed wood for more than 15 years and shares a trove of techniques and lessons learned.

Introduction to Micromotor Power Carving – Part 1
If you’ve been curious about power carving but didn’t know where to start or what to buy, this demonstration is for you. Topics covered include safety, how micromotors differ from flex shaft rotary carvers, micromotor units (available brands, pricing, how to use), carving burrs, wood choices and how to immobilize your workpiece.

Introduction to Micromotor Power Carving – Part 2
Building on Kristin’s ‘Intro to Micromotor Carving – Part 1’ demo, we’ll now dig into the three major types of power carving (texture, relief and sculpture) through real-time demonstrations and viewing examples of successful work for each technique. Kristin will discuss burr choices suited to each, show how the techniques can be combined and demonstrate two painting techniques that help carved textured surfaces visually pop.

Kristin’s 2027 FWS photo gallery:

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