with a smile. “It’s as close as I could get it to perfect.” It’s also the only piece that he’s decided to duplicate. He plans to build a series of 11 chairs, each with its own distinct coloured suede upholstery to preserve their individuality and value as art pieces. “If I give all of them their own special colour, they’re all one of a kind,” he says. “Each chair has its own personality.” The 11th and final chair will veer slightly from the pattern and be a commemorative piece, built from aluminum with its seat a mosaic of all the other colours. Despite only having begun his art pursuits two years ago, Verduin is already making waves in the art world. Along with establishing his own gallery, the Gem ‘O the Isle in Cowichan station, his pieces are exhibited at the Lantzville Art Gallery, and the Amazone Chair, the Rose Table and Sunset Chair were accepted into this year’s Sooke Fine Arts Show. The next step is to approach interested parties in New York, Seattle and London, but Verduin wants to set down some local roots first. “The number of talented artists on the island is overwhelming, and this way we hope to become part of this island art community.” In the meantime, Verduin is constantly coming up with new ideas for pieces as he balances family time with the workload of managing a running farm. But he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I don’t think there’s a day that I’m bored. Tired, yes,” he laughs. “We’re just working hard, playing and enjoying life and of course creating art.”
And no matter how busy he gets, the family motto — carved into a sign that sits outside the front door — is always there to remind everyone of what’s truly important: “There’s always time for a coffee.” Check out his beautiful pieces at: www.benverduin.com
Surrounded by the tools of his trade.
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