“It’s like my hands, eyes, and tools take over and tell me everything I need to know.” Tell us about your design process? MS: After refining a sketch, I start carving the design in softer woods like yellow cedar and basswood, either at quarter-scale or full-size. It’s funny, once the sculpting process begins, I don’t look back at my sketches. It’s like my hands, eyes and tools take over and tell me everything I need to know. A prototype may go through a Frankenstein-like stage with temporary parts and bits of sculpting clay. These can look quite comical at times. The prototyping process can take months and months. Sellens continues to work wood into its most beautiful form with Perpetua Wood, installing floors, doors and other creations. Through SylvanRay, Sellens and his family are taking on commissions, developing the furniture line and seeking a plan to manufacture the unique pieces. As long as there’s wood, Sellens will continue to uncover its beauty.
70
BEND HOME + DESIGN I SPRING 2024