Orostok County is home to many creative people, including carpenters like Randy McPherson of Washburn and Scott Gannon of Presque Isle.
PRESS ISLE, Maine . Aroostook County is home to several inventors such as Washburn's Randy McPherson and Presque Isle's Scott Gannon.
Carpenters make up a small number of creative businesses in the area and their love for the community motivates them to create their own art.
This is the first year that Randy McPherson has been selling his woodwork, mainly at Presque Isle Farmers' Market and the exclusive Aroostook Artisan Boutique and Gift Shop in Portage.
“I've always wanted to put it all together and go on a Saturday morning. When [Randy] retired, it got easier for us, "his wife Laura McPherson said.
Randy McPherson started running the farmer's market two years ago, selling acrylics there for the past five years before the owner retired. Before the outbreak, MacPherson made Maine-style clocks from Christopher Ellsworth.
McPherson works in a garage near his home with two routers and two computers, programming his designs on signs, objects and laptops. It also uses two laser engravers for wood carving, wood burning and 3D box making, which saves time on projects.
McPherson uses live cedar to make lumber from four mobile sawmills, including Amish cedar. Maple, oak and pine are also used.
“I was in the Boy Scouts when I was 13, I made a cutie for my eagle, I got a woodworking cutie and then I got into the wood shop,” McPherson said.
McPherson began using lasers a few weeks ago for her moose shadows, primarily for carving and burning wood. He started buying models he used to 3D print shadow boxes like spoiled deer. Other projects he worked on used woodworking machines with a CNC router, which he worked on for five years.
"This is what I was looking for. I didn't know I could do this with the resulting laser. After studying the instructions better, I learned how to cut all shapes," said McPherson.
After purchasing print files online, programming the code on his computer to run the machines, and doing the laser cutting, McPherson sandblasted the part. Laura MacPherson paints it or stains it, then Randy MacPherson marks the tree. Sometimes a design is taken, executed through a computer, and burned onto wood using a laser engraving machine.
McPherson bought a Mini Laser last year for his wife to use as a small tool. McPherson completed several major projects last summer, including a 5-foot lighthouse, a 4-foot Good Wish, and custom-designed campgrounds.
McPherson sawmill prices range from $ 5 to $ 70 to keep prices affordable for both Aroostook County residents and visitors. Crafty Gram Studio, as his business is called, is present online on Etsy pages and on the Facebook marketplace.
“We are retired. It allows us to do something every day, "said Laura McPherson.
Reception was good at McPherson with many regulars. They will not be attending the next two farmers markets due to the handicrafts scheduled at Caribou in October and Ostock Center Mall in December.
In the same area as the Presque Isle Farmers Market, Scott Gannon worked on an eagle statue in a public space to promote his work in the community. He recently received permission from the Irish Setter Pub to set up a table for his lumberjacks.
Gagano, 41, started cutting wood this year, but has been painting portraits of animals and people since his early twenties. Gagnon cuts his artistic designs from cedar and maple planks using a variety of tools, including several chisels, files, a chainsaw, and a dremel.
She draws and paints everything herself and describes the art of wood as therapy.
"You don't have to be different when you understand that there are things more important than the influence of others and you go out into the world," said Georgette Gannon. "Less influence from the outside world will help you find yourself."
Gaganone finds beauty in nature by collecting wood he finds in nature or given to him by friends and neighbors. Gannon, who describes his work as abstract works inspired by nature, is thrilled to be working on his next woodwork project in the small one-room shop behind the duplex where he lives with his family.
"You can post everything you've done," Gannon said.
Gannon has a long list of projects, including porch bears, welcome signs, surnames, and ram skulls.
Gannon sells his work as part of Lasting Impressions and recently sold a woodcut of a seascape for $ 130. Gannon can be contacted regarding the commission at scottyart40@gmail.com.
Washburn, Maine, September 20, 2022 - Randy McPherson uses a laser engraving machine in his studio as he begins work on a moose head sculpture. (Paul Bagnall | Herald of the Stars)
Washburn, Maine, September 20, 2022 Randy McPherson displays a piece of moose glass he recently made in his workshop. (Paul Bagnall | Herald of the Stars)
Busy Island, Maine, September 21, 2022 - Scott Gannon displays his woodcut, including a recently completed eagle. (Paul Bagnall | Herald of the Stars)
