More About Mike Dean from Barley Wood
Mike Dean Biog.
" Sculptor to the Stars" Mike Dean has had a passion for working with wood since he was five years old. It all started when his dad bought him a tool set for Christmas, then there was no stopping him!
Having learnt his craft at Icklesham Joinery in East Sussex, he now boasts commissions from stars on both the big and small screen, from rock stars like Elton John to famous television faces, including Tommy Walsh (pictured) from Ground Force fame and world class golfer Nick Faldo.
Tommy Walsh wanted Mike to make him some spindles for his staircase and liked two of his designs so much that he combined them onto one spindle, giving him a totally unique design.
Mike considers this one of his best jobs, along with 12 'paint brushes' he made for a gardening exhibition at Kew Gardens in Surrey. The handles were made of Beech and were 10ft long, each tapering from 5 inches at one end to 1.5 inches at the other. The tops of the brushes were fitted with wire for the flowers to be attached.
Another piece that Mike is especially pleased with was a 3ft bowl which is now exhibited in La Tante Claire, a famous London restaurant. The bowl was made from Burr Oak and Mike worked it while is was still wet, giving it a unique shape when it dries as it twisted and buckled.
Mike has also won awards for his wood turning. In 1995 he won both first and second prize in the British Gates and Timber Woodturning competition, held near Ashford in Kent. In 1996 he came third at the Practical Woodturning Show in Wembley and one year later came second in the Good Woodworking Show at Alexandra Palace in north London after creating a 'hollow' vase.
Mike also made a large handmade stand from English Walnut, with a wooden decanter and six twisted wooden goblets on top, presented to the Reverend Dr Canaan Banana from Zimbabwe.
Mike now makes a large range of staircase components, including wooden spindles,newels,handrails and newel caps, but he can produce anything that is round and made on a lathe, like ballet bars,harp columns, round picture frames, four poster beds and even urns which can double up as ice buckets! (Take a look around the Website to see some of these examples).
Mike Dean has come a long way in a career spanning over 25 years in wood turning from his very first creation...... a rabbit hutch he helped his dad make.
Contact Mike Dean at the above address for more information from Barley Wood.