WATCH: The sounds of the Island come to life with these one-of-a-kind instruments made by a Chemainus artist. Ceilidh Millar reports.
If you stroll down Chemainus Road, you might see and hear Ryan Zandee of Deadwood Art strumming on one of his one-of-a-kind guitars.
“From the headstock down to the neck is just a two-by-four,” explaines Zandee.
Zandee makes handmade guitars and other instruments out of salvaged, reclaimed and recycled woods.
“I’ve been using closet doors, maple [wood] from wood piles and even bamboo placemats from Value Village,” says Zandee.
He also uses scraps of wood, the kind that most people would throw away.
“I thought I could just try [making] one out of recycled wood and see how it went. It kind of made a sound so that’s what got me started,” says Zandee
The pieces take hours to make, but it’s all a lifelong labour of love for Zandee who is also a local teacher.
“It’s something I would do for fun anyways,” adds Zandee.
He took up woodworking after watching his father as a child.
“He always seemed to know what to do or figure out a way to do it. I just got really into the smells, the feel and the look of wood,” says Zandee.
Besides instruments, Zandee also makes a variety of figurines, chess boards, wind chimes and other items.
“What I enjoy is going through the process, knowing that eventually this will actually be able to make music!” exclaimed Zandee.
Discover Deadwood Art at 9734 Chemainus Road.
Ceilidh Millar
