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| Bush Craftsman |
| Shirl visits a bush craftsman and lends a helping hand to build a Squatter's Chair. |
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You won't find a better place than Gympie for a bush craftsman to reside. It is here, in South East Queensland, that John Gerritsen has his home and bush craft workshop. Shirl went along to see John's work and lend a helping hand to build a Squatter's Chair.
John Gerritsen is a clever craftsman who draws his inspiration from the Australian bush. He is laid back but passionate about his craft. John has lived in the bush for most of his life. Once a National Park Ranger, John quit his long-time profession and moved to the hills of Gympie for a change of scene. That was in 1984 and he's still there.
Inspired by an interest in bushcraft, John set himself a new challenge and by 1988 he was making a living from bushcraft and carving. He embarked on his new career by selling his work at Brisbane markets.
A pipe smoker, he began by using his pipe cleaning tools to carve small wooden pieces, later acquiring more tools for his workshop. These days John's carving equipment consists of chisels, knives, power tools, a chainsaw, a band saw and a grinder.
John's work is carved from a variation of 'close-grained' timber, including white beech, red cedar, camphor laurel, brown plum and stringy bark (which he uses for the Squatters Chair). Materials are found in the bush where pole cutters have been harvesting timber. He uses the off-cuts and the crowns of trees which are usually left to rot or burn.
The work comprises mostly native wildlife and domestic animals including dogs, cats, birds, horses and cattle. He also makes bush furniture (stick not slab) such as the Bush Squatters Chair he knocked together with Shirl. This piece comes complete with detachable bag and, much to Shirl's delight, stubby holder.
Individual pieces may take anything from an hour to a week to create depending on the timber, the size and the form of the work. John's work is sold through markets, shops and galleries.
Plans for the Bush Squatters Chair are available directly from John Gerritsen.
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More Info
John Gerritsen has a stall most Sundays at the Riverside Market in Brisbane.
To order artwork or a plan for the Bush Squatters Chair (plans cost $5) call John Gerritsen.
Ph: 07 5482 4066
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Disclaimer
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