Materials with character
Kitchener rarely stains wood. Instead he pairs maple, walnut, padauk, driftwood, or bloodwood so the natural hues form feathers, fur, or foliage.
Artist Spotlight
Kitchener Hughes — Wood Sculptor
Kitchener Hughes transforms natural materials into sculptural works inspired by forests, wildlife, and the raw textures of the natural world.
In his sunlit garage—with dog Poppy underfoot and wife Cheryl nearby—he practices the intricate art of intarsia.
About Kitchener
A retired welder and fabricator, Kitchener discovered intarsia through his brother-in-law Don Snyder. Each winter when fishing slows, he turns to saws, scroll-work, and sanding blocks to build textured, puzzle-like imagery.
Intarsia relies on the natural colour of wood, so he keeps tulip, walnut, red padauk, bloodwood, purple heart, and driftwood on hand—embracing knots, grain, and movement as part of the story.
Artistic Practice
Details that tell a story
An owl might use four different woods, while a frog’s toes are carved from tiny cedar curves. One commission depicts a child slipping into boots, stained to match Cheryl’s blue eyes.
Community connections
His little-girl intarsia now lives with Hinton FCSS as a Seniors Week prize, and he’s taking commissions for wildlife scenes, public art prizes, and personal heirlooms.
Commission an intarsia piece
Kitchener accepts commissions for wildlife, portraits, and custom gifts. Reach out through MECA to start a project.