Born in Canada, Douglas moved to Nova Scotia where he designed and built stringed musical instruments. His artistry as an instrument maker eventually led to a collaboration with his wife, textile artist, Sanna Rahola. He first made frames that complimented her tapestries, but now his frames and carved wooden panels are integrated completely with Sanna’s felt pieces.
Douglas Drdul studied and trained with Finnish master wood carver Oiva Kentte at the Seinajoki Kasi Ja Taideteollisuusoppilaitos, Jurva, Finland. He has shared his expertise through demonstrations such as ‘Decorative Carving’ at the Seinajoki Trade and Convention Center, Seinajoki, Finland.
Tree Pearls:
“Sanna and I enjoy spending time in the woods that surround our home. I have shaped these Tree Pearls from wood that we salvaged from trees that blew over in a windstorm last winter. We pulled these sections out of the woods on our toboggans. It gives me great pleasure to be able to extend the life of these beautiful trees that we have skied and hiked around for years. Every Tree Pearl is as unique as the tree it comes from.” - Douglas Drdul