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June 9, 2000     Cape Gazette
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June 9, 2000
 
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CAPE GAZETTE, Friday, June 9 - June 15, 2000 - 611 Artist unchains spirits from bindings of bark By Esther Kernosh Tom Yates began his artistic ca- reer in a most'unusual manner. "One day I dug up a plant, shook off the dirt, looked at the piece and thought 'This plant needs a face. It looks like a rastafarian.' This was eight years ago," said Yates. "Then I found another piece of wood. I started looking for pieces and the art has evolved since then," he said. "I entered some sculptures in the SoWeBo Art fes- tival in the southwestern Balti- more neighborhood, SoWeBo. Some woman bought half my stuff. This really pumped me up. I started doing shows," Yates said. In the intervening years Yates' art became so successful he gave up his teaching career and concen- trated on his art and on raising his three daughters. Yates' artwork involved more than carving skills. His sculptures were defined by the raw materials - the wood - Yates found in nature. "Last year I bought a boat, so now I can pull up to a shoreline and gather pieces of driftwood. I used to take the truck and my dog, Chessie, and walk through the woods all day looking for pieces," Yates said. "I like to complement the wood with my work. People can do carvings. I like to have nature's work." Yates continued describ- ing his discovery process: "People see bits of gnarled wood. I see where a face might belong in that gnarled pit." Yates stressed his carvings are one-of-a-kind. His finished sculptures are defined by what he f'mds. "People ask, 'Can I get an- other one like that?' I have to tell them, 'No, no you can't,' " said Yates. Each piece of wood is unique. Each piece of wood re- veals a different face as it is carved. Yates' sculptures range in size and shape. He has carved wood into jewelry, into almost life-size chess pieces, and he has carved 16-foot tree trunks into a wizened old man or a lighthouse, or both. "'A few years ago in, 1997 or 1998, a lady from Harrington called me about a tree in her yard struck by lightening. "I don't usually go out and pick up these pieces, but I got this one. It had an old man's face. I also carved a lighthouse out of the top," said Yates. "I use this as my. test piece. It has been out- side to see how weather affects the wood and the finish. It's done well so far but I may This soulful change the guy hangs in lighthouse." the trees keep- Yates grew ing a watch on up nurtured the Yates family. by art. His mother, an artist, was an art teacher. "Her love for art really opened me up to art," Yates said. His parents retired to Wilmington, N.C., where his mother is still ac- tive as an artist. Yates learned about the tools he now uses to cre- ate art while vorking as a builder. "I worked for a builder in high school. That's when I learned the tool part." Yates is doing the same for his three girls. "I used to teach school. I was a special edu- €:ation teacher. I taught art and so- cial studies. After the birth of our third daughter, it was apparent that most of my teaching salary was going for someone else to watch my kids. So I started stay- ing home with the kids," said Yates. When Yates' wife returns home each day, he retires to his shop. Sometimes he works until 2 a.m. The demand for Yates' art has in- creased. "Summers and fall are very good. Winters are a little slow, but this gives me achance to stock up on wood and carve. I have a supply in case I can't get out on the water, like last winter," Yates explained, "I have pieces in a variety of places. I have some works in the shop at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. I have Continued on page 66 Year-round resort living in Rehoboth Beach . Covered lhes . Gmtmse enlff rh. mqe, of o tam  kgat o, nt.. .2-car garages . Public wat & sewer 274 (Old Landing Rood), juct woM of Rto. 1 kl .WoodsafldlidoH; . flewsIks Relmboth Beech, IIolawarn. Five docornisd For more information, call 1-600-344-1814 1;'om the lot Tom Yates carved these almost life-size chess pieces to represent the Yorks and the Lancasters in Britain's War of the Roses. The queen is one of the few female faces Yates has completed. k Homebuilder, has been setting in Home buyers know that Robino home, AT SEASIDE 00lldlm Ikm ,,tim00mtm,,at Please visit us at our models on Old Landing Road. Turn right at the Pizza Hut on Highway One, or you may call us directly at 302-227-6661. Eher Kemosh photos Artist Tom Yates keeps company with two of the old spirits he's dis- covered hiding in wood. A wooded residential of thme-bodmom homes nestled In a beautiful wooded setting. Each home design features sinole-lovel living, two-car garage, and a huge master bedroom. For Inaition, call 302-226-3640. Visit our Sales aM IMonnation Center at the IMenmctthn of Routes I & 240 in the Welmw Rnlthm Nddq lot. atmeulkmm ImUm00 lira amfllSw./lmmB lmla00 mllk mmlN00i Sanibel Village is located off PhilIIp'S Street, near the Garden Gourmet and the Dig Fish Grill, next to Eagle's Landing. Call us at 302-226-3381.