Studio Systems
After three decades of carving, Peter Kaune knows how to get things just right--in his workspace and in his work.
Pete carved this malachite kingfisher, a sub-Saharan river bird, for the 2008 Pacific Flyway.
Ergonomic might be the best word to describe Pete Kaune's carving studio in Gig Harbor, Washington. For most of the work he does here, Pete sits in a high wooden stool that has a comfortable back and armrests. Critical tools and controls are all within an easy reach in this carving cockpit.
With legs crossed and bird and grinder in hand, Pete reaches out to the mouth of a dryer vent hose mounted on plywood arms, joined with a convenient elbow. The exhaust intake moves to his current position as he relaxes and grinds away. Outside the shed, dust blows from a chute and forms a pile in the yard.
Two hooks covered with red plastic and attached at the mouth of the homemade dust collector hold his airbrush when he has to put it down. He has mounted a well-used brush, its handle cut short, to the end of the hose. With a quick flick of his wrist, Pete uses the brush to wipe away debris and dust from the piece he's working on without having to lay it down to pick up the brush. Just above the chair and within easy reach hang several headband magnifiers.
This article is from the Winter 2011 issue. For more information on our issues, check out our issues page.