“We have a love affair with trees; their continued growth is as important as the joy of turning. Jerry searches out recycled trees and logs from sustainable harvesting operations; the vessel begins with the study of tell tale signs in each log that may reveal hidden beauty. He hand carves each piece on a lathe, using the grain of the wood and its character traits as his guides. The vessel is rough turned to 1/2" thick, allowed to dry for many months and then finish turned to a thickness appropriate to the design. Finally it is sanded to a 1200 grit finish and Danish oiled. Deborah administers the final finish: the piece is steel wooled and waxed. In this way the tree is allowed to extend itself beyond its rooted existence, through our hands into yours.”
“Jerry believes strongly that his responsibility in being given a beautiful piece of wood is as a display artist, finding the shape that most celebrates the soul of the tree. Wood is meant to look like wood; the form must maintain that belief of mine. Whether turning bowls or building furniture or cabinets, this has always been true for me. The grain of the wood comes first, my design flows from that. Jerry's fascination with form grew out of a love of the sea; waves and wind are a constant source of inspiration. His joy in turning is in his never-ending search for the perfect shape married to the grain and character of the wood.”
- Jerry & Deborah Kermode
“The pioneering artists in the field of contemporary woodturning were responsible for an aesthetic in which the forms of their bowls were designed to celebrate the natural beauty of a particular piece of wood. The resulting works gave birth to a new art form, elevating the turned wood bowl to an object of contemplation equal to sculpture. Over the decades, this aesthetic has given way to contemporary works that are overly tricky and clever. Although much of the sculptural work being created today is important in continuing to redefine the field, something has been lost in the move away from fine bowl forms in beautiful woods. I believe that we'll see a "neo-classical" movement in the woodturning field in the future, which will bring balance to the field, and that Jerry Kermode is among those who will bring it about.”
- Kevin Wallace
Director, Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts
Jerry Kermode is a full time artist working out of his home studio in Sebastopol, California, with his partner and wife, Deborah.
An early fascination with form and function began during childhood summers in Huntington Beach, California, where Jerry began surfing at the age of eight. There he constructed small boats to skim in tidal flats and surf small waves. He has built upon this early interest throughout his life as he shaped surfboards, boats, world-class sailboard centerboards and houses, bringing forms from the sea to play in his work.
During the early 1970’s Jerry began incorporating his fascination with turning into his work while specializing in Victorian restoration and boat work in Santa Cruz, California. In 1978 Jerry and Deborah moved to Hawai’i, where they continued their woodworking and remodeling business together while raising their son, Walker, and enjoying the openness of beach and sea at their feet. In 1984 Jerry began turning bowls from freshly harvested Hawaiian trees, becoming a full time turner in 1991. The bowl, or as it is called in Hawai’i - the calabash – caught Jerry’s attention when a neighbor introduced him to native woods. The cherished calabash culture in the Islands was the perfect place to
nurture his new passion.
Jerry and Deborah have developed their love of native woods and turning into a full time business. Jerry’s vessels are available nationally and he has become a much sought after teacher. Deborah administrates their company, which now includes her own business, Creating Financial Clarity,
offering assistance in the business of art.
In the summer of 2000 Jerry and Deborah came home to the cooler climate of Northern California, but this did not stop them from continuing their love affair with the sea and outdoors. Both can be seen zipping across Bodega Bay on their sailboards and Jerry is an avid surfer and mountain biker. Jerry plays guitar and sings, while Deborah practices yoga, and enjoys writing and working in her yard. Son Walker has grown up, moved to Ashland, Oregon, married and become a professional bassoonist and middle school music teacher. He still surfs, windsurfs, bikes and skis. They all remain best of friends.
Shows & Awards
Selected Works, del Mano Gallery
Beneath the Bark: 25 Years of Woodturning
- Brigham Young University Museum of Art
Marin County Fair: 1st Place Woodturning
American Craft Council
Contemporary Crafts Market
Sausalito Art Festival
KPFA Christmas Craft Fair
Marin Art Festival
Marin Farmers Market
Art @ the Source & ARTrails Open Studios
Baulines Craft Guild, San Francisco
Highlight Gallery, Mendocino
Pacific Handcrafter's Guild, Honolulu (awards)
Hawai'i Dept. of Business & Economic Development
Honolulu Hale (City Hall)
Hawai'i Craftsmen
Northwest Fine Woodworking, Seattle
WhiteBird Gallery, Oregon
Commissions
Presentation to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil
Presentation to Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
Hawai'i International Film Festival Golden Maile Awards 1990 thru 2000
“We have a love affair with trees; their continued growth is as important as the joy of turning. Jerry searches out recycled trees and logs from sustainable harvesting operations; the vessel begins with the study of tell tale signs in each log that may reveal hidden beauty. He hand carves each piece on a lathe, using the grain of the wood and its character traits as his guides. The vessel is rough turned to 1/2" thick, allowed to dry for many months and then finish turned to a thickness appropriate to the design. Finally it is sanded to a 1200 grit finish and Danish oiled. Deborah administers the final finish: the piece is steel wooled and waxed. In this way the tree is allowed to extend itself beyond its rooted existence, through our hands into yours.”
During the early 1970’s Jerry began incorporating his fascination with turning into his work while specializing in Victorian restoration and boat work in Santa Cruz, California. In 1978 Jerry and Deborah moved to Hawai’i, where they continued their woodworking and remodeling business together while raising their son, Walker, and enjoying the openness of beach and sea at their feet. In 1984 Jerry began turning bowls from freshly harvested Hawaiian trees, becoming a full time turner in 1991. The bowl, or as it is called in Hawai’i - the calabash – caught Jerry’s attention when a neighbor introduced him to native woods. The cherished calabash culture in the Islands was the perfect place to
nurture his new passion.
Jerry and Deborah have developed their love of native woods and turning into a full time business. Jerry’s vessels are available nationally and he has become a much sought after teacher. Deborah administrates their company, which now includes her own business,