MARCH 2021 ARTIST OF THE MONTH
David McKibben
Windstorms can wreak havoc and Guemes Islanders are no stranger to the destruction that can be left behind. What if the resulting debris could provide you with some amazing art instead of just headaches? David McKibben is just the artist to help you out. He is a woodworker who has lived on Guemes Island for the last 17 years and he can turn your felled tree into a beautiful showpiece that carries a special meaning. Don’t worry though, you don’t need to lose a tree to gain a piece of art. David has a large selection from which you can find that perfect piece.
David McKibben first started wood turning around 2000 after being inspired by his younger cousin, who is a world class artist/teacher in the art. David turns wood into vessels, plates, bowls, etc. He also likes to add some flair by doing some inlay work and pyrography (wood burning) on select pieces. Wood comes to him in all different shapes and sizes and basically just looks like a piece of wood. The wood grain, color, voids, and size are all revealed as he turns the piece. Sometimes the finished piece turns out completely different from the original vision because of these natural variations. Probably 75% of the wood he uses comes from Guemes Island and consists of Madrona, Pacific Yew, Broad leaf Maple, Asian Pear, Apple, and Cherry. He also has a selection of Koa, Monkey Pod, Cedar, Walnut, Mahogany, and others.
When David and his wife of 41 years, Kate, were approaching retirement age, they started to look at different areas in Western Washington where they could settle in. Originally from the Snoqualmie Valley, Guemes Island was particularly inviting due to the lower rainfall amounts. They had several friends on the island and were able to spend many weekends wandering the beaches and learning to appreciate the quietness that is Guemes. They were also drawn by the multitude of artists who live here. When not turning wood, David enjoys cooking and baking and is a long-time amateur radio operator. He also enjoys playing a lot of golf.
His workshop is in a large 2 car garage, a space shared with his island car, so he does not have the luxury of a studio or display area. If you’re wondering how you can get your hands on some of David’s pieces, there are several different options. He has participated in the annual Holiday Bazaar on the island many times and will hopefully do so again post-COVID. He is happy to put out a display, on a table, in his house or garage if he knows someone is interested. Unfortunately, there is not a website or Facebook page you can visit. You can email David to set up a place and time to see his work.
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