ROB BUTTERFIELD – Nautical Woodwork Artist
Story by Andy Kancachian
Gaining inspiration from the sea, marine art is not just for beach houses. Every home in Southeast Queensland is so close to the waterways that decorating with nautical theme art is always relevant for any home. Ships and boats have been included in art from the earliest days since man travelled by boat. However, marine art only began to become a distinct genre, with artists specialising in the field, towards the end of the Middle Ages.
The laid back flair of this art provides a boating sense of style that local artist Rob Butterfield knows too well. Boating and the seaside life run in the family. “My father was a shipwright at Hen & Chicken Bay, Sydney. He taught my brother and me a lot of practical skills we all use today. I later progressed to industrial design and was involved in the revitalisation of Darling Harbour and The Rocks Program. I worked for the Australian Gas Light Company as a display artist alongside a team of builders. We were designing buildings, showrooms and static displays throughout the city.”
The well-worn craftsman feels most comfortable working with wood and inspired by a nautical theme. “Wood and the sea complement each other, especially drift wood or discarded wood that I can give a second life to. Sourcing such wood can be trying, especially storing it until you find the right outcome for its unique qualities. I find most of my materials when my wife and I travel in our van to different coastal areas. I also recycle pallets and fence paling here or there.”
Rob’s nautical theme art includes images of anchors, life preservers, lanterns, ship wheels, and beach and sea life scenic views. “Many of my pieces fall into the category of 3D art defined through the dimensions of height, width and depth. I mainly experiment with the wood, letting it tell its story, capturing shadows that move around the piece as the day passes, changing the visual aspect.”
When mixing traditional and contemporary woodwork styles, accomplishing a realistic perspective can be challenging and time consuming, “Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, but it’s very pleasing to have a creative outcome. Many times, I will move onto the next piece and come back to it later. I utilise a variety of tools to achieve this, and several times I have outsourced the use of a Thicknesser machine that brings out the wood grain allowing the wood to tell its story.”
Rob gains access to specialist tools and inspiration from like-minded craftsmen. “Being a member of a local men’s shed has opened up a multitude of applications and wood-working processes that I would not have had access to, along with a diversity of individuals that share their creative knowledge.”
The buyers of his art are not your regular nautical people. “People who have bought my work come from various places and professions – those who are living on waterside homes to country families, dentists to firemen – for their gardens or for interior applications.”
Each buyer has his own reasons for the appeal of a specific piece, “Most people see what they want to see in each piece, and what pleases one may not please another. When I see that I have created a piece of art that has aroused excitement in another person, that encourages me to create more.”
The ocean, sailboats, lighthouses, nautical ropes, with blues, whites, beiges are framed in browns with a weathered feel. “Inspiration comes from our surroundings and bits and pieces of other artistic work. I add my own interpretation to what I like most about the things I see. I create an outcome in my own mind that usually works as an art piece.”
The effortlessness of sailboats and the soothing effects of the sea, among others, stimulate Rob to create marine art. “Sailing and wooden boats inspire my creative flair. I like their simplicity and relaxing flow to allow the eye to take it in, to capture it. The most enjoyable aspect of my work is allowing wood, paint, sanding etc. to all come together, to look pleasing to the eye. I feel that most people are attracted to the sea because of its soothing sound and a cooling breeze blowing over you, massaging your soul with its calming effect. Also going to the beach as kids was always about fun and adventure, so these thoughts are always brought out in nautical theme art.”
In our plastic-fantastic disposable world, the next generations might not have the same gusto about working with wood. “Young people can really benefit by understanding first-hand the qualities and accomplishments of working with wood. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of opportunities available for them to experience this pleasure. I suspect safety and insurance will always be an issue with such machinery involved. I think TAFE colleges should create more of what we called – in the old days – Journey mens/ladies courses.
I myself have been to several of the short courses including bricklaying, panel beating, spray painting, and leadlight applications.”
All of Rob’s artworks are one-offs, but he has made one-piece for individuals that have bought his work and then requested for another same or similar piece. “I much prefer the spontaneity of one-off art. I will make it the way I feel it should be, and if the buyer feels a similar way, then they will buy what I have created; if not, I will keep it until I find a buyer that will love it the way I do.”
For a peek at existing artwork or to discuss artwork commission go to boatgoldcoast.com.au/tidal-artist.
