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George Saridakis Wood Artisan Decoratively Sculpted Wood |
Biography |
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George Saridakis, a self-taught wood artisan, always wanted to work with wood. In 1982, he finally realized his dream while making furniture for his home. In 1992, his desire to continue developing his woodworking skills led him to woodturning, and later to scrollsawing. He currently combines both woodturning and scrollsawing using native and exotic woods to create functional and decorative art. A signature of his work is the smooth and lustrous finish.
George developed his woodturning skills turning spindle items such as furniture legs and shaker pegs, and then graduated to bowl turning. As an accomplished woodturner, George became interested in scrollsawing while making a Christmas present for his wife. He became intrigued by the effort and skill required to cleanly create an ornament using a scroll saw. This challenge so fascinated him that he continued making ornaments (and lots of firewood, too) until he mastered the scroll saw techniques necessary to produce a high quality, delicate ornament.
George eventually combined his mastery of woodturning and scrollsawing to create a special gift for his wife. The result was a turned cherry lidded bowl with an abstract design scroll sawn into the lid. This piece received so much attention from visitors that he began to create others.
George's goal is to create wood art that enhances the joy and quality of life with its beauty -- both to look at and to touch -- and to enjoy the art of designing and working with wood. His designs are inspired by folk art from various cultures and elements of nature.
George, a state juried member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, is also a member of the Dunstable (MA) Artisans, the Granite State (NH) Woodturners, and the Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers. In 2002, George left his 28 year high tech industry career to devote his full energy to creating wood art.
George's work is available through select galleries and artisan shows. |
