Carving his own worlds

Most artists use paintbrushes or their own hands to create.

This guy uses a scroll saw.

Meet a local artist known as Hunter, who manufactures miniature worlds out of blocks of hardwood only 1 7/8 inches tall.

"As I've learned to do this, they've just gotten smaller and smaller until they've become the size they are today," Hunter said. "I have people who put double-sided tape on them and stick them to a computer monitor or their car's dashboard so they always have something beautiful to look at."

Hunter's sawed-up scenes are a wealth of detail, with each piece featuring several layers of imagery. A simple coyote would never do, for example. There would have to be a cactus and mountain range in the background.

"For the colors, I rely on the natural beauty of the wood. I find the purples and the reds, very bright colors that are almost surreal. I think those are the colors people remember most when they think of the desert."

Local folks will get to check out Hunter's work for themselves when the Yuma Potpourri Artists host their annual Labor Day Art and Craft Show today through Monday at Southgate Mall, 3140 S. 4th Ave. The hours will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday. Admission is free.

For more information, call 344-3268.

Hunter said it's always a joy for the club's artists to get out and share their talents with the public.

"A great thing is that we always have something there for everybody," he said. "We don't have anything that just appeals to a certain group."

Art and craft items will include jewelry, paintings, pottery, ceramics, embroidery and lots of wood work.

Several members, Hunter included, will also conduct demonstrations for the enjoyment of passers-by.

"People love to see things being made. It always draws a crowd when people see me putting everything together."

In addition to the little scenes, which usually sell for $5, Hunter also makes wooden earrings and necklaces.

The Potpourri Artists are expecting a good crowd this weekend, given that it's both Labor Day and the start of dove hunting season.

"It's always been a great weekend for us in the mall," Hunter said.

The club typically hosts two shows at the fairgrounds, two at the Yuma library and two at the mall. The next show is set for the weekend following Thanksgiving on the library lawn.

The Yuma Potpourri Artists was founded in the mid-1970s. Today, the group boasts about 60 members.