intarsia [in-tahr-see-uh]: An art or technique of decorating a surface with inlaid patterns, esp. of wood mosaic, developed during the Renaissance.

Intarsia is the making of decorative and pictorial mosaics by laying precious, exotic and domestic woods onto groundwork of solid wood. Works like these are seen in the histories of Ancient Egypt, Rome, Persia, Japan, Germany and Italy. It is an artwork that has almost been forgotten; now it’s gradually coming back. All selections of wood on the project are natural and not stained. The pieces are separately, delicately and carefully cut, then shaped to give the project a three dimensional appearance. All pieces are carefully sanded. The shaped pieces are then assembled into a beautiful mosaic, fixed onto a solid back, finished with a high luster crystal sheen or Danish Oil and displayed.

Harv is the Intarsia Artist and Jan does knitting, crocheting and sewing.