DESMOND (Des) Nazzari from Rockingham had a vision of turning his art book sketching into a more advanced form of work.
For the past five years, Mr Nazzari has been practising an unusual style of pyrography and providing workshops in Wandi once a month.
The term pyrography means ‘writing with fire’ and refers to the art form in which artists burn wood or other material with specialised fire tools.
What may sound like a tricky hobby actually requires three simple steps: stencilling, sketching and burning.
The pyrography club co-ordinator carries a portfolio of sketches with him, a book full of animals, portraits, and farming tools – to name a few.
His sketches provide inspiration for his class and are used as stencils to transfer onto the wood pieces, which are donated by Bunnings.
Mr Nazzari said his pyrography club provides an opportunity for locals to come along and dabble in something that is not a commonly known form of artwork.
“I firstly get to teach everyone how to sketch on the wood and from there everyone has the opportunity to use the pyrography burner,” Mr Nazzari said.
“I make sure everyone starts off with something small and then each time they return, to try something a little more challenging.
“Pyrography is rather simple and for those who find it hard to sketch, we always have carbon paper to make the sketching easier.”
Mr Nazzari has hosted several wood-burning demonstrations in Perth over the years, where examples of his extraordinary work has been on display for participants to view and draw inspiration from for their own creations.