Nov 13, 2009 By Dave Zuchowski for The 4 min read

Local art enthusiasts have probably seen Brian Tyson’s wood-burning creations at places like the Pow Wow at Woodland Zoo in Farmington, the Steam Show in Malden, the Art and Craft Show at Albert Gallatin High School and at arts fairs at the fire halls in Masontown and Smithfield. On Saturday, patrons will be able to see even more of his work at an unusual venue in Washington when Tyson joins six other artists for a one-evening-only exhibit starting at 6 p.m. at Brothers Pizza, located at 3 N. Main St.

While the Ellsworth artist has tried his hand at a variety of artistic endeavors, starting with aspirations as a comic book illustrator in high school, Tyson, 39, became interested in pyrography two years ago after seeing a photo of a wood-burned artifact on the Internet.

“I liked what I saw so much I went to Wal-Mart and bought an inexpensive electric pen, then went to Lowe’s for my wood,” he said. “Basically, I learned my art as I went along, but when I ran into problems I bought some books on the subject to expand my technique and skills.”

Currently, he’s extended his initial forays into the art form by purchasing more sophisticated tools that include electric wood-burning pens, some with a fixed tip and others with a series of interchangeable tips good for shading, etching and cross hatching.

“Most of the time, I use a ballpoint tip for line work and a spoon shade for contrast work,” he said.

For wood, Tyson goes to a woodworker/cabinetmaker who lives nearby, where he picks up bits of poplar, maple, oak, willow and sycamore.

His favorite medium is spalted sycamore, named for the fungal infection that creates amazing colors and wave patterns in the naturally pale beige wood as it begins to decay.

“Different woods give off different aromas when they’re wood-burned,” he said. “Sassafras, for instance, has a sweet licorice odor when I take a hot electric pen to it.”

Over the past two years, Tyson has made more than 100 pieces, sometimes turning out two or three a day.

His images include everything from historical subjects to fantasy and wildlife and American Indian representations, which allude to his partial Cherokee ancestry. The finished pieces range in size from as little as 5-by-8-inches to large 16-by-20-inch boards. Some of his pieces are finished with colored pencils, and Tyson said he tries to make works with a wide range of prices that start as low as $5 for animal figures burned onto wooden spoons to other works that command a $200 price tag.

Working as a pyrographer is not without its hazards. On numerous occasions, Tyson said he’s been burned while he works with his electric pens, which can get red hot when the control is turned up all the way.

“Each wood has an optimal temperature at which it’s best to wood-burn, which is why the pens come with a temperature control,” he said. “Oak, for instance, is very resistant to wood-burning and doesn’t want to take a line.”

Besides his venture into the world of pyrography, the latest term for wood burning, Tyson is proficient at pen and ink and pencil drawing, weaving, beading and leatherwork.

The latter endeavor came along out of necessity when he decided to get married American Indian-style and couldn’t afford the requisite leather regalia like moccasins and leggings. With a little creative input, he ended by creating his own nuptial attire.

“The idea for getting involved in the arts and crafts movement in the first place came about as a result of my wedding at McConnells Mill in Lawrence County, which took place during an arts and craft show,” he said.

Over the years, Tyson has supported his wife and five children by supplementing his income with a series of “regular jobs,” but it’s his art that he’s hoping will ultimately supply his family with its major chunk of income.

“In the future, I plan to make larger pieces that may take weeks to complete,” he said. “I’d also like to teach, not only wood-burning, but drawing as well. I may even try my hand at writing a book on pen and ink or pencil drawing.”

For more information on Tyson’s art, call 724-384-0674.