Creative Woodworks & crafts 2001-11, страница 40

lian wood carver Franco acchct has been carving he was a child. He is in the footsteps of and grandfather were both craftsmen in hills of Belluno, Italy, an steeped in tradition and rtistic heritage. Franco takes pleasure in that he ves in "one of the most autiful places in the world/' and that his home is the "native place of the famous painter Tiziano." It is a place, he says, that has aroused in him "the love for wood and for nature jn general."

Franco's grandfather used to carve shoes of wood that were put to practical use. He also made wood hats to hang up over the door. Franco inherited his love of

Franco

his dog, Full.

music from his grandfather who was also a composer and played many instruments.

Because family and heritage arc so important to Franco, he shows his respect by taking on his artist name BUCI, which has been in the family for several generations and is now known as both the mark of Franco's artwork and Lhe family nicknamc.

Franco describes himself as an "almost self-taught carver." He started carving very early. "When 1 was a boy," Franco recalls, "I often used an ordinary knife to carve Lhe animals and other little articles lhal I presented to my friends." He said that his father taught him basic carving techniques when he was a child. He took these basic skills and turned them into his own style. "When I became more mature/' he relates, "I developed the personal styles you can recognize in my work."

His home province of Belluno has a strong influence on Franco and lhe artwork he creates. "Dolomites, the place that I live in, for me it is one of the mosl beautiful places in the world/' Franco says. "I think that we have a stark relationship with nature. VVc feel a symbiosis with it." He likes to work in his mountain hut, alone or with his dog, "surrounded by forests and meadows." He feels that "nature speaks to every one of us—I have learned to listen to it. What beauty, what inspiration!"

Even though his works are predominately modern, Franco has "a profound respect for the traditions." He takes inspiration from Lhe masters of the past. "There is beauty in the fact, that wood is a living creation," he explains. "If you touch it with sentiment you can be sure to create a living work, quite apart from the skill of the creator." Franco believes that the material itself

40 • Creative Woodworks & Crafts November 2001 continued on page 18

contributes to the beauty of the finished work. "What you see in my works are my real feelings reflected in the wood."

Even though the artist did not study art in school, it has been a natural part of his life sincc he was a child. Franco tried painting in his early years, but found himself with a greater attraction to carving because of the charm that wood adds to art. Now lhe only painting he does is coloring his carvings or making carved reproductions of famous pictures by other artists.

His very favorite wood for its ease of carving is lime-wood, which is similar to basswood in America. However, many of his clients "want to feci that the created articic is made of wood," so they prefer a carving with knots and a strong grain figure. For those carvings, he often uses a kind of pine that in Italy is called "cirmolo." Unlike limewood, cirmolo docs have many knots and a rich grain figure. It carves much better than regular pine because regular pine tends to splinter. Because harvesting it is prohibited in Italy, Franco must import it from Austria. He also carves in hardwoods, including oak and walnut.

When Franco uses color on his carvings, he prefers tempera paints. He also uses water stains to bring out the shadows of a relief. He is accomplished in applying gold leaf as well. For the final coat, he prefers wax finishes.

Franco accepts commissions in a wide variety of carving styles and sizes. He has found a particularly [strong public interest in his carvings of clothing, which were inspired by his grandfather's earlier carvings of shoes and hats. It's quite an attention-getter to have a realistically carved coal hanging on the wall. He also enjoys doing carved reproductions of famous ^■paintings, preferring the works of ^USSSSKKtK^^^ iKlimt, Mucha, and Van Gogh. Franco Sacchet in his studio at work ' ' , ^anco says that while he has on the piece New Friends. already had the opportunity to

exhibit his work throughout Italy and Switzerland, and also Austria, he is now hoping for the opportunity to exhibit his work in the United States.

For the amateur carver, Franco offers this advice, "Every Wood carver, even if he is a beginner, can find satisfaction in his work in spite of his carving skill, if he has done it with all his heart, if he has expressed himself." "However," he adds, "we can all improve."

For himself, Franco appreciates the fact that his job is doing work that he gets to enjoy. "It's just my work in itself that gives me the most satisfaction, and my carvings could enrich' the life of someone and make it more pleasant. That is the real gratification for me. 1 think myself to be a fortunate man—I can do a job I love."

Franco Sacchel, Viale Leo dc Biasi, 20I 32010 Podenzoi cie Castcllo Lavazzo, Belluno-Ti'ALY; fax: 0039 0437 573666; cmaU:frabuchi@holmaiLcom.

MEET FRANCO SACCHET

by Ivan Whillock