Kevin Bassett

Kevin Bassett - Artrist's Statement
As a professional Arborist for over thirty years I have helped numerous clients protect and maintain their valued trees. Having worked intimately with trees and wood I have gained an insight into their inner and outer beauty. Once I began turning wood on the lathe I realized that expressing the beauty of the tree through its wood was a collaboration between the tree and me. Exclusively the tree provides wood color, figure and density, while I try to find a shape and form that best suits that particular piece of the tree. I do a lot of my work beginning with green wood - therefore shape, color and texture may change dramatically as the wood seeks equilibrium with its environment. I have become aware of these changes even as the wood is being turned and the object inside - discovered. Most of my artwork is produced from wood that I select and collect from my clients' trees, thus recycling a portion of the tree that will continue to Live as Art. Trees add a new growth ring every year that they live, therefore the history of the tree is revealed as successive layers are removed. I never know what the inside of the wood will tell but I always enjoy the story. Tales of good times and bad, great forward leaps and tragic set backs are common in many trees and hopefully these are revealed through my works. The viewer is invited to consider the endless natural cycles revealed in turned wood art.
Kevin Bassett is a Certified Arborist with a Bachelor of Science degree in Plant Pathology from Colorado State University. He has had no formal training in Art and is self-taught as a wood turner. Kevin is a member of the Dallas Area Wood Turners and the American Association of Wood Turners. Kevin makes his home with his wife Sandra in Richardson, Texas. His works are included in several private collections.
1954 - Born in Grand Bend, KS.
1972 - Graduate of Robert E. Lee High School, Midland, TX.
1976 - Bachelor of Science Degree Major in Plant Pathology awarded from Colorado State University.
1977 - Began career as Professional Arborist Greeley, CO.
1981 - Founding Partner of Arborilogical Services, Inc, Dallas, TX.
1983 - Represented Texas Chapter at International Tree Climbing Championship.
1986 - Scoring Judge Aerial Rescue Event at International Tree Climbing Championship.
1992 - Began Wood Turning
1992 - Certified Arborist Examination passed International Society of Arboriculture, TX-0100A.
1996 - Texas Chapter International Society of Arboriculture - Arborist of the Year Award.
1996 - Head Judge Foot Lock Event at International Tree Climbing Championship Cleveland, OH.
1997 - Head Judge Belayed Speed Climb Event at International Tree Climbing Championship.
1997 - Texas Chapter, International Society of Arboriculture, President.
2000-Present - International Tree Climbing Championships. Head Judge Secured Foot Lock Event
2006 - Wood Turned Art represented by Wild Spirit Gallery, Pagosa Springs, CO and Artist's Showplace Gallery in Dallas, TX.
2006 & 2007 - Selected to donate wood turning to Southwest Area Turners "2 for 1 Raffle".
2007 - Selected as Dallas Area Wood Turners Club Entree into Oklahoma Forest Heritage Center Museum's "Masters at Work" competition Broken Bow, OK.