Roger Olson
woodturner extraordinaire…
Wide-Textured Rim Bowl (B211), 2023, mahogany, turned and textured, 1.75 x 9 inches (4.5 x 23 cm), $525.00 Cdn.
Burl Bowl (B210), 2023, box elder, turned, 2.75 x 11 inches (7 x 28 cm), $450.00 Cdn.
Natural Edge Box Elder Burl Vase (V160), turned, natural red highlights, 5.25 x 4.5 inches (13.5 x 11.5 cm), $400 Cdn.
Natural Edge Box Elder Burl Bowl (B215), turned, natural red highlights, 5.5 x 4 inches (14 x 10 cm), $400 Cdn.
Return Top - Beaded Elm Bowl, turned, 6.75 x 2.75 inches (17 x 7 cm), $400 Cdn.
Celtic Twist, mayday bowl, turned, carved & painted, 2.75 x 7.5 (7 x 19 cm), $375.00 Cdn.
Natural Edge Box Elder Burl Vase (V161), turned, natural red highlights, 4.25 x 4.5 inches (11 x 11.5 cm), $225 Cdn
Classic Mayday Bowl, turned, 2.5 x 6.25 (6.5 x 16 cm), $150.00 Cdn.
Wood Ring (box elder burl, bird's eye maple bent wood, .925 silver), size 12.5, turned, vacuum pot dyed, durable CA finish, lined with bent wood, $175.00 Cdn.
Lidded Box (BX14), 2023, box elder burl, turned, 3.75 x 2.5 inches (9.5 x 6.5 cm), sold.
Wood Ring (box elder burl, dyed red, walnut bent wood), size 8, turned, vacuum pot dyed, durable CA finish, lined with bent wood, sold.
Purple Gloss Vase (V157), 2023, box elder, carved and ebonized, 6.5 x 6 inches (16.5 x 15 cm), sold.
Textured Birch Hollow Turning with African Blackwood (V159), 2023, dry brushed, hand carved, 3.75 x 6.5 inches (9.5 x 16.5 cm), sold.
Beaver Mines Vase (V156), 2023, poplar burl, natural edge, 7x6.5 inches (19x16.5 cm), sold.
Lidded Box (BX12), 2023, box elder burl, cocobolo, abalone shell, turned, carved, inlaid, 3.5 x 2.5 inches (9 x 6.5 cm), sold.
Lidded Box (BX13), 2023, box elder burl (natural red), turned, 3.25 x 3 inches (8.5 x 8 cm), sold.
Wood Ring (box elder burl, teak bent wood), size 6, turned, vacuum pot dyed, durable CA finish, lined with bent wood, sold.
Wood Ring (african blackwood, maple bent wood, copper), size 8, turned, vacuum pot dyed, durable CA finish, lined with bent wood, sold.
Apple Blossom Bowl with Spout, turned, ebonized and textured apple wood, 4.25 x 6.5 inches (11 x 16.5 cm), sold.
Apple Blossom Vase, turned, ebonized and textured apple wood, 3 x 5.5 inches (8 x 14 cm), sold.
Finial Hollow Turning Vessel, turned spalted birch with walnut, 7.75 x 4.75 inches (19 x 12 cm), sold.
Natural Red & Edged Burl Bowl (B212), 2023, box elder, turned, 3.5 x 6 inches (9 x 15 cm), sold.
Natural Edge Pair (V158ab), 2023, box elder burl, turned, 6.5 x 5 and 3.75 x 3 inches (16.5 x 12.5 and 9.5 x 7.5 cm), overall measurements 6.5 x 8 inches, sold.
Natural Edge Box Elder Burl Bowl (B214), turned, natural red highlights, 6 x 6 inches (15 x 15 cm), sold.
Wood Ring (spalted birch, walnut bentwood), size 7.25, turned, vacuum pot dyed, durable CA finish, lined with bent wood, sold.
Wood Ring (box elder burl, birch bent wood), size 4.5, turned, vacuum pot dyed, durable CA finish, lined with bent wood, sold.
Natural Edge Box Elder Burl Bowl (B213), turned, natural red highlights, 6.5 x 4.75 inches (16.5 x 12 cm), sold.
Box Elder Burl Bowl (B216), turned, natural red highlights, 5 3/8 x 2.75 inches (13.5 x 7 cm), sold.
Natural Edged Box Elder Bowl, turned, dyed red, 4.25 x 6 inches (11 x 15 cm), sold.
Fine Craftsmanship
+
Terrific Design
I love wood and the freedom of expressing what I want.
I trust my eye.
New expressions come from not being afraid to challenge an original idea.
The bowls, vases, and furniture pieces that Roger Olson creates from box elder (Manitoba maple), mayday, cherry, local poplar, and other woods reflect his deep enjoyment of working with his hands.
From the graceful lines of a spalted maple vase to the finely crafted design of a cherry and poplar table, Olson's work showcases both his craftsmanship and imagination. Classic forms of bowls and vases resonate most with him. While there is really nothing new in terms of shape—since it’s all been done before—certain forms always return because they are timeless and aesthetically pleasing. He strives to present these enduring forms in his work.
Collections:
Governor General of Canada Collection
Private collections: Hong Kong, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Ireland, the United States, and across Canada.
Roger collects and cures wood for years, with a particular focus on species native to Alberta such as Box Elder (Manitoba Maple) and Poplar. While the size, shape, and grain of the wood dictate the piece's inherent form, Roger often manipulates it in various ways to bring his unique vision to life. Many decisions are made during the turning process. Sometimes, stepping back from the lathe and taking a long look at a piece helps him discern what feels right or wrong. Even an eighth of an inch can make all the difference. He trusts his eye, knowing that new expressions often arise from challenging original ideas.
Roger had solo exhibitions at the Lethbridge Public Library and at the Galt Museum, Lethbridge (2008) and two solo exhibitions at the Willock & Sax Gallery (2001, 2006) as well as being the Gallery’s feature artist in August 2019. Early in his art practice Olson took part in Woodturning Conferences across Western Canada and the Alberta Woodworking & Tool Shows, where his work was exhibited and received high honors.
The artist lives in Southern Alberta and has worked with wood for close to 50 years. He is a cabinetmaker by trade stemming from a four-year apprenticeship degree in carpentry from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). He began woodturning by attending workshops given by Dr. Jim Farr.