Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea
Wood Sculptor Bob Diehl Uses 1870’s Era Scroll Saw at Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea

On Saturday, December 5, Bob Diehl of Louisville will demonstrate how he creates his unique wood sculptures using a vintage 1870’s era pedal powered scroll saw at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea from 10:30 am – 3:30 pm.

Twenty years ago, Bob Diehl found himself a single parent in need of a home based business for income. Fascinated by some inlaid wood he had seen at a crafts fair Diehl started his journey with wood. When he was given a book about German paper cuttings called “Scherrenschnitte” he got to thinking, “Why not try these patterns in wood?” He soon began experimenting making and selling wooden ornaments that were derived from these German patterns. When asked to do a horse trophy, he started creating works with horses as the theme.

Diehl uses a special type of plywood called Baltic Birch from which he cuts his sculptures with a power driven scroll saw. The scroll saw has a very thin blade which allows Diehl to cut intricate curves and make sharp turns in the horse portraits he creates. He uses the scroll saw to remove the negative spaces in the sculpture and ends up with what looks like a drawing in wood. Diehl also uses plantation grown mahogany for some of his smaller more detailed works. The works are finished by spraying them with a lacquer blend.

Scroll sawn sculptures by Bob Diehl are regularly available at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, located at 975 Walnut Meadow Road, just off Interstate 75 at exit 77 (Berea). The Center’s exhibits, shopping, and travel information areas are all open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the café from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free. The Center currently features works by more than 650 artisans from 100 counties across the Commonwealth. For more information call 859-985-5448 or visit the Center’s web site at www.kentuckyartisancenter.ky.gov

The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is an agency in the Kentucky Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet