Interview with Harri Asplund, wood portrait artist

by Scarlet Apron*

You have to love the scroll saw. From Victorian architectural trim to 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles, when it comes to intricate wood detail, the thin delicate blade offers itself to unlimited artistic use. These days, there’s some impressive sawing by way of Harri Asplund. With the quickness of a toy-making elf, Asplund transforms plain timber into intriguing, half parquet portraits, remarkably faithful to the original. And while he cuts out a lot of grandchildren and celebrity images, his forte seems to be the shapely lines and delicious curves of glamour portraits.  Models, boudoir to pin-up, from all corners of the internet, search out his craft for their own likeness. A native of Helsinki, Finland, now living in New Hampshire, Harri was gracious enough to take time from his trip abroad to answer our burning wood questions via email.

How did you get started with your lovely portraits?
I started doing the portraits after I saw an older gentleman doing them in Finland, years ago. I’ve been doing them for about ten years.

I’m a piece of wood in your hands. What happens to me?
I get the photo and I will sketch and draw the picture on top of the piece of wood. I will do most of the photo by hand with some Photoshop. Then I will cut your portrait out of the wood with a scroll saw. I will then sand it, finish it and frame it.

What’s the best photograph to use for the best results?
The same type pictures as "school photos."

If you were a kind of wood, what kind of wood would you be?
Mahogany, exotic and hard (lol).

Any mishaps with the saw? What’s some safety advice?
No mishaps really, cut myself once. Keep your fingers clear of the blade and use eye protection.

What’s so Finnish about you?
Ouch, that’s a tough one. I think most of me is Finnish, like my tongue gets me into trouble with women here.

Why are you in Finland?
I'm in Finland now to see my Mom, who is in the hospital. She is doing better, by the way.

Favorite celebrity portrait you’ve done?
Jessica Alba.

What are your hobbies?
Fast cars and fast,,,,,, :)

CD in your CD player?
Some soft rock.

Book on your nightstand?
Car magazines.

Food you can be seduced with?
Aahhh. That’s easy, whipped cream.

Check out Harri’s handiwork at www.woodportraits. com or myspace. com/woodportraits.

*Contact Scarlet Apron at scarletapron@yahoo.com or myspace.com/scarletapron with fetish news and events.