Banka Studios
Creative Woodturning
and Garden Art
We are Marc and Caroline Banka.
Marc: I am a woodturner, using local woods to create heirloom quality bowls and vessels.
Caroline: I create whimsical flowers for the garden made from glass and copper.
Banka Studios is our home for artistic endeavors, a shared space where we support each other in creating beautiful things that bring pleasure and joy to everyday life.
WOODWORK
Marc has loved working with wood since he was a child and enjoys the journey of each piece he creates from start to finish.
Inspired by History
Marc’s ideas come from bowl examples throughout history, and from different cultures, such as the Calabash form, a traditional Hawaiian bowl. Others are just his understanding and utilization of basic design ideas. Of course, bowls do have design limitations as they should hold what is kept in them without falling over. However, Marc puts a positive spin on these limits.
“The restrictions give me bumpers and allow me the freedom to explore the minute subtleties; the curves, the connections, the relationship the piece will have with the surface on which it sets, and the things held within.”
Beautiful But Practical
Marc’s goal is to create wood vessels lovely for display, yet suitable for use. Every bowl he produces is a work of art and as close to perfect as possible, while still being a one-of-a-kind piece. The simple curve needs to be “true” with the transitions clearly defined. The bowl should not only weigh roughly what’s expected, but it should also be friendly, inviting, easy to handle, strong, durable, and a delight to view. It should enhance its contents.
Marc is very particular about his choices of wood, finishing materials, and work methods. He takes pride in producing wooden bowls and plates that will resist warping and cracking, even after multiple uses and washings.
From Log to Table
Marc’s creative process starts with a simple log, which he acquires the day the tree is felled. He doesn’t know what he is going to create until he sees the tree in front of him.
“When I see in my mind's eye the cut I want to make, and my hands know how to do it, then I can start considering what I would like to produce.”
He takes all of the steps necessary to distill the raw material from log to bowl, from coarse to fine. The first cut made with a chainsaw sets rules for what can happen later. How he cuts the wood into slabs, then into rounds which are made into bowl blanks, are all artistic decisions based on choices made earlier. He sees each piece as an exciting journey, similar to earlier but never the same.
“From tree to the bowl on your table is my work, and my work alone.”
Garden Art
glass flowers
I make flowers because it makes me happy. Also because I can't seem to grow real ones. I love color and the play of light. When I am painting a flowerhead, it reminds me of finger painting as a child. No rules, just enjoying the possibilities of shapes and color. I usually don't "color within the lines"-- I want my creative process to be a refuge from perfectionism.
However, more discipline comes in when I put the whole flower together on its copper base. Working with an acetylene torch to solder copper stems and leaves is not child's play. My talented husband, who can make anything, taught me the rules of soldering. These flowers would not be possible without his help.
GALLERY
Marc’s Arts
Large Decorative Bowl
Large decorative bowl made from a Maple burl. 16 inches by 5 1/2
Maple Natural Edge
Maple natural edge (bark edged) bowl. 11 inches by 5
Caroline's Arts
Orange Glass Flower
Hand-painted orange glass plate with scalloped edge. Center plate is painted yellow with blue accents, and yellow glass marbles at center. 12" across. Set on 1/2" copper pipe "stem" with soldered copper leaves. 40" high.
Blue and Green
Glass Flower
Hand-painted glass egg plate with raised scalloped edge surrounding 12 raised oval egg cups, painted in blues and greens. Center is smaller glass bowl painted in blues and greens, with blue glass marbles in center. 15" across. Set on 1/2" copper pipe with soldered copper leaves. 48" high.
For the Love of Art
When not diligently working in their studios, you can find these two at Durham’s Centerfest or the Preston Woods Fall Art Walk.
To see more creations from this dynamic couple, check out Caroline’s gallery and Marc’s gallery. Or contact us using the form below with questions or to purchase an original work of art for your home or garden.
CONTACT US