Intricate 3-dimensional patterns and careful inlays using fine koa wood are the hallmarks of Mark and Karen Stebbins’ artistry.
The two artists met while working as biomedical research scientists in Seattle, WA and Princeton, NJ, and throughout their professional careers, artistic design in woodworking and woodturning remained a passionate hobby. Moving to the Big Island in 2003, they started their own wood turning business and they remain active members of the Big Island Woodturners.
Karen’s wood inlay designs require careful selection and orientation of the wood grain. When making their beautiful platters they use multiple segmented layers and the turned platter is then used as the canvas for the inlay design. Their signature inlaid heart (reverse side) helps to convey their passion for the art.
One of Mark’s passions is the study of the various vessel shapes found in Hawaiian history with an emphasis on the Hawaiian calabash bowl form. During this journey, he sought advice from many established woodturners on the Big Island and throughout the State. Today, Mark turns beautiful Koa bowls from wood sustainably harvested on the Big Island. When possible, he uses a nesting technique in order to obtain multiple bowls from a single piece of wood. Mark is also a bowl repair specialist with an emphasis on the art of antique bowl restoration.
Mark & Karen suggest using a slightly damp cloth and a high-quality wax (such as Renaissance Wax) on their platters and bowls for periodic cleaning and conditioning.