GARY A. LEAKE WOODWORKING
Artist Biography
	Gary A. Leake - A woodworker whose passion is to search the countryside for a special one-of-a-kind, piece of timber, be it cherry (a favorite), maple, walnut or cocobolo, that has character (meaning highly figured, tigered spalted, etc) and turn it into a finely engineered and ultimately beautiful piece of furniture, so unique it is considered a work of art.
	After approximately twenty years as a professional engineer working the 9 to 5, Gary wanted  and needed a change.  He decided  to walk a different path - one that used his inherent artistic talent as well as his technical sense - that of working with and creating with wood.
	Gary's technique tends to be influenced by methods and styles of earlier times, using antique woodworking tools and skills (although he does use a bandsaw from time to time).  Other influences: ancient Japanese joinery, Shaker-style furniture, Colonial-style furniture, Early American hand tool techniques and a natural finish look.
	Moving to Whidbey Island in 2000 proved to be even more tempting for Gary to expand his horizons and express his artistic talent.  In pursuit of his passion, he spends hours (and hours and hours - just ask Sandy) dreaming up ideas, finding that perfect piece of timber and finally creating a true work of art.
Creative Process
	Gary credits his Grandfather for nurturing what has become a keen appreciation for all things wooden. Many of Gary’s antique woodworking tools and skills were inherited from this wonderfully patient master cabinet-maker.
	Gary’s creative process can best be described as follows: Conceptual ideas float around in his head (sometimes for a day but often for years) until the magic moment when he finds that particular piece of timber that triggers the project. The wood’s natural character, which acts as a catalyst for moving the abstract idea to reality, truly drives the final design. Thus each artistic creation is truly unique. Each piece is carefully crafted by hand using many of the woodworking techniques and tools employed during the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries.
	The resultant ‘feel’ and warmth of the wood can only be experienced by touching and caressing it. Touching of Gary’s art is indeed mandatory. Gary’s labors of love demonstrate his creativity as a contemporary artist and his woodworking skills.
Awards and Exhibitions
2009	Exhibiting artist; Brackenwood Gallery of Fine Art, Langley, WA (formerly Karlson/Gray Gallery)
2009	Honorable Mention in “Whidbey Island Preservation Art”; a series of gallery exhibitions hosted by the Pacific Northwest Art School (“Whidbey Wild” Bigleaf Maple Table)
2009	Whidbey Island Woodworkers Guild “Woodpalooza” Exhibition, Bayview, WA
2009	1st Place in 3-D art Historic Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival ("Adrift" Sapele and Ebonized Walnut Display Table)
2009	Published: 500 Tables, Lark Books, “Nature’s Rhythm” Hall Table
2009	Exhibiting artist; “Art for History” Exhibition, Island County Historical Society
2008-2009	Exhibiting artist; Cole Gallery, Edmonds, WA
2008	"At Home with Fine Craft" Exhibition, Karlson/Gray Gallery, Langley, WA
2008	Whidbey Island Woodworkers Guild “Woodpalooza” Exhibition, Bayview, WA
2008	1st Place in 3-D art Historic Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival ("Dark Wave" Ziricote and Ebonized Cherry Hall Table)
2008	Exhibiting artist; Lavender and Wind Art Festival, Coupeville, WA
2007-2009	Exhibiting artist; The Wood Merchant, La Conner, WA
2007	Honorable Mention "Beautiful design. Great use of woods" in Historic Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival ("Nine Pieces" Display Table)
2007	Whidbey Island Woodworkers Guild “Woodpalooza” Exhibition, Bayview, WA
2007-2009	Exhibiting artist; Karlson/Gray Gallery, Langley, WA (formerly Gaskill/Olson Gallery)
2007-2009	Exhibiting artist; Art Concepts on Broadway Gallery, Tacoma, WA
2007-2009	Exhibiting artist; Scott Milo Gallery, Anacortes, WA
2007-2008	Exhibiting artist; The Courtyard Gallery, La Conner, WA
2006	1st Place in 3-D art Historic Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival ("Curves" Cherry Sofa Table)
2006	Whidbey Island Woodworkers Guild Exhibition, Bayview, WA
2005	1st Place in 3-D art Historic Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival ("Sunrise Over Whidbey" Walnut Hall Table)
2005	Whidbey Island Woodworkers Guild Exhibition, Bayview, WA
2005-2009	Exhibiting artist; Penn Cove Gallery, Coupeville, WA
2004	1st Place in 3-D art Historic Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival ("Foraging Among the Fuchsias" 3-Panel Cherry Screen)
2004	Whidbey Island Woodworkers Guild Exhibition, Bayview, WA
2004	"Portrait of a Community" Exhibition, Bayview, WA
2004-2005	Exhibiting artist; Whidbey Panoramas Gallery, Coupeville, WA
2003	1st Place in 3-D art Historic Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival ("Reach for the Sky" Shaker-Style Ladderback Chair)
2002	1st Place in 3-D art Historic Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival (Blue Cherry Toy Box)
2002-2007	Exhibiting artist; A Class Act Gallery and the Courtyard Gallery, La Conner, WA
2000-2006	Exhibiting artist; Gaskill/Olson Gallery, Langley, WA