Wood Artisan – Toluca, Mexico
Once the piece is shaped, design continues when burning the wood, giving it extra texture and color.
Photographer Paulina Campos is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this photography essay. From her project ‘Juan’. To see Paulina’s gallery of projects and photographs click on any image.
Juan cuts through the wood like it is butter, does not hesitate once.
Each piece is given a different carving
Juan, an artisan from Toluca, Mexico, let me into his home and workshop where I was able to document his beautiful work, and impressive skills with wood. He has learned and improved his craft, through working with a Mexican industrial design studio, using the same tools and techniques of this very traditional craft, but now, breaking the rules he once was taught, to create new, different, and creative designs of his own.
Machine starts spinning when the piece of wood is strongly attached to it. Juan is ready to start designing on the go.
Using a ¨molinillo¨ mill, Juan shapes a block of wood into a cylinder piece.
Juan gives the piece shape.
Juan in his workshop, explaining what he does every day on that same spot, the tools he uses, and what he has learned since he started working with wood.
Interesting twist, Juan decided not to do a traditional mill after all, he would turn that piece into a table leg.
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By Paulina Campos
