The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

All day, every day, we use things.

While this sounds ridiculously simple, think about it: when you make a tuna fish sandwich, you grab the can opener, scoop tuna into a bowl with a spoon, stir in mayonnaise, spread the filling on with a knife, and cut the final product in half on a cutting board.

When any of the elements you use – spoon, knife, bowl, cutting board – is beyond boring and ordinary, it adds a jolt of beauty to the experience.

"There is a satisfaction that comes with a combination of quality, beauty, and functionality," says wood artist Dave Ulmen, who handcrafts sushi, cheese, and cutting boards, as well as coasters and wine waves, from laminated hardwoods.

The Spokane woodworker works in tandem with his wife, Liz, to create simple, yet elegant, boards that are art pieces in themselves, their patterns and colors drawing upon the natural patterns and colors of the wood. Ulmen sells his work in gift shops throughout the Pacific Northwest, and in 2007 was named Artist of the Year by Made in Washington stores, an accolade he sees as testament to the quality and artistry of his products.

"Liz and I still use the first cutting board we made," Ulmen says, when asked about the durability of his work. "We just rinse it, wipe it to damp/dry, and stand it on edge to finish drying."

A "tool guy" since he was a child hanging out in his grandfather's workshop, Ulmen always knew he wanted to work with wood, although both he and Liz took the long way to get there, with initial careers as teachers who "spent a combined 71 years crafting skills and critical thinking," he in 7th grade language arts and Liz in elementary gifted ed. Upon retirement, the couple launched fulltime into woodworking. Now, they draw upon the skills and critical thinking of artists.

"It's a challenge creating consistency and quality – every board comes from a unique living organism that must be respected."

Ulmen's hardwood artistry is on display at Wenaha Gallery (219 East Main, Dayton) through January 26 at Wenaha Gallery. The gallery is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.