Scroll down to view more of Dave Clausen's exceptional segmented woodturning...
Artisan Dave Clausen does not waste precious resources like natural wood when creating his assorted vases and bowls. As an exceptionally gifted segmented woodturner whose work turns heads regularly, a portion of his sales' proceeds is donated to help build back forests. Dave estimates that his contributions have replanted up to 500 new trees each year!
Segmented woodturning wastes less wood, takes more time, and a lot of math – even the use of Pi! Dave credits trial-and-error for the results he now gets, owning the right tools, along with a computer program developed by a woodturner that can now do the math needed for each of his projects that he once calculated manually.
Dave began his artistic past time in 2004 and is now in galleries both in Wisconsin – Door County, and at the Blue Moon Gallery in Grayslake near his Hainesville, IL home.
Segmented woodturning many small pieces to create a finished product is a more complex approach than working from a large block of wood.
He’s currently developing a piece for display at the upcoming 2025 American Association of Woodturners’ symposium where members can spotlight their work in a Show & Tell exhibit area. It will take him about three months to complete a twisted basketweave-style vase for this event which will eventually encompass 4,020 pieces using four kinds of hardwood -- red heart, Wenge, maple and yellow heart. These woods can be found in Mexico, South America, the U.S. and Africa.
If he were to put a price tag on this showpiece, he’d have to sell it for $6,000 because of all the time invested in creating it. Luckily, for art patrons, his work typically sells between $125 and $850 depending on time and materials.
Because he is careful about preserving earth’s forest resources, he vets his wood sources so that he purchases only from certified companies.
“I’m very conscious of deforestation of vulnerable locales where trees never should have been removed, and the devastation that can produce,” Dave says. “As a result, I donate money from each sale to the American Forest Association to help rebuild our forests.”
American Forests is the oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the United States. Their mission is to create healthy and resilient forests, from cities to large natural landscapes, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water and wildlife. From working with local partners to planting trees to educating U.S. Congressional leaders about new policies and programs, they help reforest America.
What does he like best about segmented woodturning?
“I love the resulting conversations around what I’ve created,” Dave says. “Whether they buy something from me or not, I enjoy their comments and feedback. It provides me with great motivation.”
Next year, he will continue adding more innovation to his work including embellishments with leather or metal, getting a website up and running, and establishing an Etsy shop. He also enjoys teaching beginners at this craft so when they are done with their lessons, they have a completed project to take home.
You can reach him through his email address at: davec1212@gmail.com
