The Village Gallery of Local Artists is pleased to feature husband and wife wood artists, Richard Kerrell and Sarah Loynd, during the month of October.  The Gallery is not holding a First Friday event but we invite you to come by anytime to appreciate the beautiful work by Kerrell and Loynd.

Kerrell grew up in Southern California and began creating from wood scraps discarded by his dad at an early age. Through middle school and high school, he got involved in shop classes where he learned to be precise and craft more refined works and won several awards at the Del Mar Fair student competition.  After high school, Kerrell was accepted to a position at a custom furniture workshop, named Mustard Tree Woodcraft, where he was mentored by some of the most talented fine woodworkers and encouraged to experiment with new designs and materials. He also began lessons in custom finishing wood creations where he learned about color and proper coating applications. In the mid-1990’s he moved onto guitar making and finishing for a manufacturer in San Diego where he was introduced to a whole new world of wood species, many of which he uses today to craft his work. Throughout the years he returned to competition and won several awards in the largest woodworking exhibition on the west coast named “Design in Wood.” This included a first-place ribbon for a humidor in 2007, as well as several other awards for his furniture designs.

Loynd grew up in Ohio and began her woodworking career when her dad would give her a piece of wood to sand. As she grew up the “projects” became more creative, complex, and functional. She took woodshop classes in high school and created a wall hanging clock with a herringbone design on the face; this was the project that convinced her she had found her passion in life. After many years in the working world, she lost her “real” job in 2010 and was free to pursue her wood-crafting passion alongside her husband. She has worked closely with Kerrell to advance her woodworking skills.

Currently, Kerrell and Loynd reside near Prescott Arizona.  Kerrell feels that this move is when he fully embraced the artistic aspect of woodworking. His previous experience prepared him by exposure to new and exciting woods with stunning grains as well as finishing and wood coloring techniques that have helped shape the work he creates today. Creating new furniture designs is also an area Rich continues to explore. In future years he plans to introduce new materials such as metals, glass, stone, and resins into his work. Kerrell and Loynd work with the highest quality wood recycled from the guitar industry. He is committed to using recycled woods as he feels wood is too precious of a resource to waste. As an added recycling effort of their wood Loynd will take cut-offs from Kerrell’s work to use for her creations. Loynd will use a block of wood where the center was removed for a turned bow, add a carved raven in the center and decorate it with recycled copper house wiring from their previous house builds. This has earned Loynd the title of “The Dumpster Diversion Division.” No piece of wood goes to waste- every piece will be used down to wood dust which is then composted.

The wood dye used on their work is a colorfast product that will not fade over time, protects the wood from moisture and environmental damage, and assures many years of trouble free use.  Kerrell and Loynd produce artwork and furniture of high quality and like to use supplies and tools that are also high quality and benefit America.

Kerrell and Loynd work closely to refine their woodworking skills. Together they play off their strengths to create wonderful works of wood art

The Village Gallery of Local Artists is located at 6512 State Route 179 in the Village of Oak Creek and is open 7 days a week from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.  You can reach the Gallery by phone at 928-284-1416.  Please stop by to see Kerrell and Loynd’s work as well as the work of 40 other local artists.