Meet Rob Homan, the artist behind Wild in the Shadows, a new gallery exhibit opening Friday, September 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Ware Center for the Arts in Lancaster, PA.
Hailing from Lancaster County, Rob Homan nurtured his passion for woodworking from an early age while exploring the forests and crafting furniture in his father’s woodshop. With an architecture degree from Temple University and five years of experience in design/build firms in Philadelphia and Los Angeles, he now serves as a creative director at TAIT, focusing on high-level sculptural installations around the world. Despite his digital work, Rob’s heart remains with woodworking, particularly drawn to its versatile and soulful nature. His woodcarving journey led him to crafting functional objects like utensils, bowls, cutting boards, tables, and stools.Â
Inspired by his Polish heritage and traditional folk art forms like Wycinanki and Pysanky, Rob has incorporated these designs into larger woodcarving projects, infusing them with vibrant acrylic and spray paint to bring their bright colors and intricate textures to life. Â
We asked Rob what inspires him to create, how he developed his unique style, and what it’s like to be married to a fellow artist.
Tell us about your artwork.
“I’ve developed a unique art style that strives to elevate the craft of woodcarving to fine art sculpture. My inspiration comes from nature, specifically animals with striking colors and shapes, and their relationship with the natural environment (flowers and trees). I interpret these subjects through bold, graphic design and allow the carved sections to create a natural gradient through shadow.”
“I source the wood slabs from a local sawmill so I know it is properly kiln-dried and will remain flat. I hand-carve using a series of small gouges, and each piece can take hundreds of hours. When I paint, I use super matte acrylics that really make the color stand out even in shadow. This level of detail and craftsmanship is important to me because it creates a piece that stands out from far away, but gets more interesting as viewers get up close to it.”
How do you work with such heavy materials?
“With help from friends, we created a carving windmill easel. This allows me to mount a large piece of wood, rotate and lock into place when carving different sections with ease. I have about 15 different size chisels and gouges that allow me to take out a lot of material or get super precise cuts in smaller details.”
How do you find time to create?
“This art practice keeps me away from a computer screen and I find it rewarding to make art just for myself. My wife is also an artist, so this is just part of our lifestyle – our living room is our art studio! I always must be creating something; it’s the way I understand the world and seek to learn new things.”
What do you think of our region’s art scene?
“Lancaster has a diverse mix of styles and mediums. There’s a rich history of craftspeople here that I believe influences new techniques and inspires artists to blend that level of craft into artistic expression. Maybe I say that just because that was my experience growing up here around makers. My contribution is to keep taking risks, trying new techniques and being inspired by others.”
What do you hope people see in this exhibit?
“I hope people feel the impact of these pieces; in their scale, craftsmanship and inspiration. I am a person who takes pride in doing things the slower, harder way to achieve something special and unique. These pieces represent my character more than I can say in words.”
See Wild in the Shadows
To see Rob Homan’s incredible finished artwork, stop by the Ware Center on Friday, September 4, from 5 to 8 pm with an artist talk at 6 pm.