Intarsia Class??

mbeedy2 · Apr 12, 2025

Hello everyone,

Wondering if anyone knows if there is an intarsia class anywhere around. I would like to try my hand (and saw) at intarsia and would love an in-person class for tips, tricks, and general instruction. I've watched quite a few videos on YouTube University, but think I would benefit from an in-person class, and with JGR passing away last September, I am wondering if anyone else was teaching the skill.

Thanks in advance!
Mike

ScottM · Apr 13, 2025

Mike, Judy’s passing was a tragedy in many ways. She was a great artist and a wonderful teacher. I was blessed to have taken two of her classes (beginner and intermediate). Kathy Wise teaches classes ( Kathy Wise Intarsia Workshops dates | wiseintarsia.com). If we were closer, I am one mile South of the Virginia border, I would tell you to stop in and I would be able to get you started. I can tell this. The first thing to master is accurate cutting.

You can also try one of Judy’s classroom in a tube (•Classroom in a Tube). They are very detailed and designed for self study. If you go this route I would suggest you do the trigger fish or the duck. Those are the projects that Judy offered in her beginner classes. My first as the trigger fish.

I can also tell you that Judy’s favorite wood for beginners was Western Cedar. It has lots of interesting grain patterns and variations in colors. It is also easy to cut and shape. The below picture shows trigger fish I made in Judy’s class and the duck which was the first project I did on my own. The trigger fish s 100% Western Cedar while the duck mostly the Western Cedar.

I get my Western Cedar from Lowes. They sell it for fence slats. Reach out anytime.

mbeedy2 · Apr 13, 2025

ScottM said:
Mike, Judy’s passing was a tragedy in many ways. She was a great artist and a wonderful teacher. I was blessed to have taken two of her classes (beginner and intermediate). Kathy Wise teaches classes ( Kathy Wise Intarsia Workshops dates | wiseintarsia.com). If we were closer, I am one mile South of the Virginia border, I would tell you to stop in and I would be able to get you started. I can tell this. The first thing to master is accurate cutting.

You can also try one of Judy’s classroom in a tube (•Classroom in a Tube). They are very detailed and designed for self study. If you go this route I would suggest you do the trigger fish or the duck. Those are the projects that Judy offered in her beginner classes. My first as the trigger fish.

I can also tell you that Judy’s favorite wood for beginners was Western Cedar. It has lots of interesting grain patterns and variations in colors. It is also easy to cut and shape. The below picture shows trigger fish I made in Judy’s class and the duck which was the first project I did on my own. The trigger fish s 100% Western Cedar while the duck mostly the Western Cedar.

I get my Western Cedar from Lowes. They sell it for fence slats. Reach out anytime.

Scott,

I have been scrolling just over a year, and at the time of her passing, I was taking a closer look at intarsia. From everything I read and heard, she was "IT" when it came to intarsia, and just as I was looking at her upcoming classes, it was posted that she had fallen ill, followed very shortly by the announcement of her passing. I did not know a lot about her, but I was terribly saddened by the loss. She was an incredible artist and someone I would have loved to meet in person. I kinda stopped pulled back from the idea of doing intarsia to focus on some other things I wanted to do and learn, but the artistry has brought me back to wanting to take a stab at it.

I am not sure the Lowes in my area has western red cedar. I know they (from time to time) have eastern red cedar, but not sure about western. I will certainly check it out. I will also look into Kathy Wise and her workshops and the classroom in a tube. I appreciate you sharing this information and your work. It looks great!

Mike

ScottM · Apr 13, 2025

Mike here are a few pictures of my sanding stations where I do the bulk of my intarsia shaping. The wonder wheel, sanding drums and adapter are available on Judy’s website.