Stencel, Brian

Artist Statement
Woodworking has always been a part of my life and a medium I developed a passion for at a young age. As my professional work is decidedly high tech I enjoy woodworking as it gives me an opportunity to be creative and work with my hands.

I create a variety of items from woods primarily native to Oregon. I am constantly amazed by the beautiful and even sometimes strange wood nature has created and I have a special fondness for the more unusual pieces. I especially love burls and highly figured woods that show the wonderful character found in wood. I’m also intrigued with Central Oregon’s juniper and the strange and beautiful wood that comes from this often considered nuisance tree.

I don’t focus on any one particular style or type of project but rather let the wood I find dictate what I’m working on next. Often piles of burls, juniper or other wood sit in my shop until an idea strikes. When the plan comes together in my head I set off to create.

About Artist Brian Stencel
Having grown up in rural Southwest Nebraska on a farm I have always been interested in the outdoors and learned the joy and value of working with my hands.

My college education took me into the computer field where I spent 10 years living in Northern California. In 1994 I was fortunate to make the move to Oregon and now I’m a computer systems analyst living in Portland. While I have lived many places Oregon is where I plan to stay as everything about this great state fits my life. My whole family enjoys the outdoors and we love to camp, fish and mountain bike especially in Central Oregon.

I live in Portland with my wife of 21 years and my two teenage sons. One of the great aspects of my craft is the joy I get from sharing my knowledge and love of working with wood with my 16 yr old son Kyle. He’s becoming a skilled woodworker himself and spends many hours in the workshop along side of me.

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Brian’s Flickr Photostream
Artist Code: BDS