Bradford Doyle Brewster first began his love of the beauty and spirit of woodworking while just a toddler in his grandfather Owl's wood shop. He sold his first piece of hand-constructed furniture at the age of 14.
Once establishing the basic foundation, he continued to refine his skills and take them to an aesthetic level when he continued his studies in fine woodworking at Peter's Valley Craft Center in New Jersey. It was there that he launched his pursuit of functional abstract constructionalism which he continues to develop some 40 years later. It was also there that he was fortunate to meet artists Peter Voulkos and Tom Collins. "Both were major influences on my approach to self expression," according to Brewster.
Brewster's passion for the wood arts led him to attend sawmill and lumber grading school to further his understanding of wood technology. Among his influences, he credits the work of sculptors David Nash and Louise Nevelson.
" I've always used discarded wood and found objects in my work. they are so rich in the stains of the world," Brewster says, " I enjoy creating shelves, lamps, tables and other sculptural furnishings using the detritus which is all around us."
" In recent years my close associations with Comanche artists and mentors Sheldon and Blue Pahdocony have enabled me to hone my skills in making traditional style Comanche weapons including war clubs and spears," according to Brewster.
Now residing in the middle of the Sumter National Forest in "The Pearl of the Piedmont",SC, Brewster writes, "It's a very beautiful place to live. I feel Blessed to be able to live here. It's inspirational to be surrounded by so much nature and such kind people."
Once establishing the basic foundation, he continued to refine his skills and take them to an aesthetic level when he continued his studies in fine woodworking at Peter's Valley Craft Center in New Jersey. It was there that he launched his pursuit of functional abstract constructionalism which he continues to develop some 40 years later. It was also there that he was fortunate to meet artists Peter Voulkos and Tom Collins. "Both were major influences on my approach to self expression," according to Brewster.
Brewster's passion for the wood arts led him to attend sawmill and lumber grading school to further his understanding of wood technology. Among his influences, he credits the work of sculptors David Nash and Louise Nevelson.
" I've always used discarded wood and found objects in my work. they are so rich in the stains of the world," Brewster says, " I enjoy creating shelves, lamps, tables and other sculptural furnishings using the detritus which is all around us."
" In recent years my close associations with Comanche artists and mentors Sheldon and Blue Pahdocony have enabled me to hone my skills in making traditional style Comanche weapons including war clubs and spears," according to Brewster.
Now residing in the middle of the Sumter National Forest in "The Pearl of the Piedmont",SC, Brewster writes, "It's a very beautiful place to live. I feel Blessed to be able to live here. It's inspirational to be surrounded by so much nature and such kind people."