Ethan Farmer to Feature Wood Burning Art at Chicken Farm Art Center

The First Saturday Event at the Chicken Farm Art Center on June 4 will feature several artists, including Ethan Farmer, a retired law enforcement official who creates wood burning pieces of art.

Wood burning paintings are a unique form of art that Mr. Farmer recently took up. It all begin as a hobby six months ago, after becoming inspired by a Pinterest post that featured a burned table top. After posting pictures of his work on social media, Farmer received several inquiries from potential buyers, and he realized burned wood paintings could be a great creative outlet for him.

Wood burning dates back to a couple of hundred years when the Japanese developed Shou-sugi-ban, a wood charring technique that helped preserved the exterior of their homes. The idea is now used to develop a different approach to art.

Farmer’s work combines the use of wood burning and paint. Using acrylic and air brush paints allow him to highlight certain aspects of the painting, creating a selective coloring effect on the piece.

“I’ve seen wood burning; I’ve seen wood burning with acrylic, but the combination of the ones I’m using has been my own kind of developed style.”

The wood burning is achieved with blow torches and dremel tools that allow a wide range of depth and coloration on the wood. The biggest struggle for Farmer is finding the balance between the wood burning and the use of paints to highlight. Too much or too little of either element take attention from the piece itself.

Farmer's approach to this type of art causes great surprise among those people who see his exhibit. This type of art is not seen very often in galleries in the area and draws the attention of many. Burning the wood also allows the pieces to have a distinct texture, which allows everyone to experience the painting, whether it be visually or through touch.

Most of Farmer’s pieces feature elements that resonate with those who love West Texas. He says many of his pieces aim to take it “back to the home roots of Texas.” His current collection offers a wide variety of elements, from the West Texas theme to military and mother nature concepts.

Famer's West Texas Wood Art Collection will available for viewing at the First Saturday Event at the Chicken Farm Art Center on June 4.

People can also view his work on his Facebook page, facebook.com/westtexaswoodart.