Ron Cooper does stone work to create bowls, treasure boxes and vases. He combines various colors of American alabaster stone using a combination of techniques used by wood workers and stone craftsmen. Most pieces are accented with natural wood such as cherry, walnut, maple and cedar.
Ron is self taught. He draws on his years of training and experience in photography for color, balance and shapes as he designs each piece. His years of work with metal and wood aid in construction skills and also with creating the unique tools needed to work with the stone and wood together. Many of his tools are one of a kind, vintage or self built. He employs tools and technology from the early days to the 21st century.
To create his unique pieces Ron takes various colors of alabaster stone, cuts it up into small pieces and glues it back together. Some of them are then put on a lathe to cut off any part that does not look like a box or bowl. Others are hand shaped into their final shape. After sanding until it is smooth, he applies several coats of a water base finish to bring out the rich colors of the alabaster and wood. The majority of Ron’s work are functional pieces like vases, boxes and bowls.
Ron Cooper is a juried member of the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen and The Sheltowee Guild of Artist and Craftsmen. His work can also be seen at The Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea, Kentucky
Ron is self taught. He draws on his years of training and experience in photography for color, balance and shapes as he designs each piece. His years of work with metal and wood aid in construction skills and also with creating the unique tools needed to work with the stone and wood together. Many of his tools are one of a kind, vintage or self built. He employs tools and technology from the early days to the 21st century.
To create his unique pieces Ron takes various colors of alabaster stone, cuts it up into small pieces and glues it back together. Some of them are then put on a lathe to cut off any part that does not look like a box or bowl. Others are hand shaped into their final shape. After sanding until it is smooth, he applies several coats of a water base finish to bring out the rich colors of the alabaster and wood. The majority of Ron’s work are functional pieces like vases, boxes and bowls.
Ron Cooper is a juried member of the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen and The Sheltowee Guild of Artist and Craftsmen. His work can also be seen at The Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea, Kentucky