by Ben McNitt on Oct.26, 2009, under arts
Artist Lynne Yamaguchi’s “Absolute True Decision”
“THE INSTANT I STARTED WOODTURNING, I KNEW I’D MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE,” LYNNE YAMAGUCHI SAYS. “It was the absolute most true decision I could have made.”
That was seven years ago. Yamaguchi was stuck in a high pressure, deadline driven job that she felt was draining her life away. When she asked herself what would make her happy, the answer came instantly: woodturning.
Maple burl hollow vessel by Lynne Yamaguchi
Woodturning? She’d never done it, didn’t know how. No tools, no shop, no training.
She quit the job, took some turning classes at Woodcraft on North Oracle and began the pursuit of her dream.
Today Yamaguchi is an accomplished artist, a member of the newly opened Flux Gallery and the creator of bowls, vessels and wood sculpture that convey a sense of beauty, simplicity and inner calm.
Lynne Yamaguchi
She’s also enthusiastically happy, as I found on a recent visit to her converted garage shop, chock-a-block with two turning lathes, a band saw and drill press, wood blanks, cut sections from whole trees, sawdust and projects in progress.
“I’m Japanese-American,” she explained. “My upbringing was very much infused with Japanese culture and esthetics. The shape of vessels, like rice bowls, from my childhood is part of my sense memory and is deeply a part of my hand.
Yearning to Soar, Lynne Yamaguchi
“I am attracted to containers, bowls, vessels, boxes. I like to hold them, stroke them, just touch them.”
Her approach to a new project with a fresh blank of wood “is very much a dialogue,” she explains. “I think about what’s in there, what’s to be revealed. Sometimes I’m right. Sometimes it has something in it that makes me change my idea. Flaws become features.”
Nestling, Lynne Yamaguchi
She enjoys working in pear – “such a sensuous wood” – in cottonwood – an untypical species for turners – and in walnut. “We’re really lucky here in Arizona to have mesquite,” she says, “with its richness of color and complex character.” She sees wood as a metaphor for people, with the record of survival showing in a person’s face just as it does in the grain and texture of wood.
Yamaguchi’s pieces range in price from as low as $30, up to $1,800 for her hollow formed In Her Dream nestled among black stones, a sculpture that is a perfect island of peace. Making ends meet can still be a struggle, she says, particularly in the current economic downturn where the market for art is one of the first to suffer.
In Her Dream, Lynne Yamaguchi
To remain viable, Yamaguchi became a founding member of the Flux Gallery, a cooperative inspired by painter/sculptor/photographer Steven Derks to give artists control over their own marketing efforts. The Gallery, featuring the work of nine local artists, is located at Plaza Palomino, 2960 N. Swan Rd., Suite 136. You’ll see more posts on them here in the weeks ahead.
Day to day, Yamaguchi remains active in her shop, turning perhaps two small pieces in one session, holding her dialogue with wood. “It feels,” she says, “like I was born to do it.”
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October 26th, 2009 on 9:24 am
My husband and I met Lynne at the Flux Gallery on their grand opening night, and we were truly impressed with her “Japanese American aesthetics” which shows in her wood turning. I love that “In her dream” piece pictured above, made from pear wood. Thanks for this blog. She’s be doing the Open Studio event coming up on November 14/15.
October 26th, 2009 on 11:49 am
Thank you for writing about an amazing artist with stunning work- Tucson is lucky to have her in the community. I would encourage all to see her work at Flux Gallery and visit her on the Open Studio Tour.
October 26th, 2009 on 11:53 am
Before I ever met Lynne, I had seen her work at the museum art fair, and was so impressed. Her work is truly amazing.
October 26th, 2009 on 11:58 am
How astonishing that Lynne would know in advance that she should be a woodturner when she had never done it before! She was right, because her work is outstanding. Thanks for this article.
October 26th, 2009 on 12:03 pm
Lynne’s work is exquisite in beauty, form and craftsmanship. Though their beauty may be appreciated in photographs, merely seeing her pieces doesn’t do them justice. Touching and holding them, and spending time looking for the stories embodied in the wood is a spiritual experience for me. (I own several pieces.) I encourage you to go see and touch her work for yourself!
October 26th, 2009 on 12:04 pm
Thanks for your informative article on Lynn’s woodturning. The photos were
excellent as well. She is certainly an amazing artist who is able to bring her
visions to reality in wood – beautiful, evocative and original work.
Although I’ve gone to many of her exhibitions, I’m looking forward to a visit
to the Flux Gallery.
October 26th, 2009 on 1:44 pm
I first met Lynne at a woodworker’s show in York, PA. She was demonstrating turning a simple bowl. After the demonstration, we had a chance to talk briefly. She was so helpful in unselfishly answering my woodturning questions. When I followed up by looking at her work on her website, I was impressed with the beauty and creativity of her turnings. Because of my work with the Wood Turning Center in Philadelphia, we have stayed in touch. I can’t congratulate her enough for her wonderful contributions to this craft. Walter Palmer
October 27th, 2009 on 12:34 am
Congrats Lynne, Your work is outstanding, Look forward to seeing you at the Gallery.
Lorraine Anderson
October 27th, 2009 on 10:40 am
Congratulations, Lynne! We are profoundly grateful that you discovered what would make you happy–because surrounding ourselves with your masterpieces makes us happy, too!
Laurie & Jim!
October 27th, 2009 on 5:21 pm
It certainly was the right decsision, Lynne, and I’m so glad I learned about you through my daughter. I treasure the pieces of your work that I own.
Jeanie
October 28th, 2009 on 6:19 am
I’ve known Lynne since the mid-70s and we’ve been friends thru many life changes. I sensed her soul soar when she took up wood-turning and own one of her early pieces. Even the simplest piece is a pleasure to hold and stroke… a soul, psyche and kinesthetic nourishment. Her evolution as a wood turner, her aesthetic and creative growth over the last seven years has been extraordinary. Beautiful stuff and a beautiful person. Hugs and accolades to you my friend. -Belinda
October 28th, 2009 on 6:20 am
Oh, gosh, you’d think I could spell my own name correctly. (Blush)
October 28th, 2009 on 7:10 am
Wow, terrific accolades for Lynne’s wood work , which will be on sale at the Southwest Flair A-Fair, October 30 to November 1, at Plaza Palomino (10 to 5 p.m. daily).