Violins & Cellos:
Hand began working with stringed instruments after she was contacted by Margaret Wagstaff of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO). They offered to supply her with a real violin to use as a canvas for one of their fund-raisers. Hand’s acceptance of this challenge led to the creation of a stunning violin which was showcased throughout the 2002 concert season by the Philharmonic. Hand also exhibited a cello during the 2003 and 2004 concert series.
"Having been honored with a request by the Philharmonic to use a violin as a canvas, I really wanted to do something that had not been done before. I pondered dozens of possible designs for the instrument. Finally I decided that I wanted to create a carved, old-world yet contemporary pattern on the surface of the instrument. I felt this would allow me to enhance the sculptural beauty that is inherent to the instrument. I knew I would be taking a big risk by carving into the thin veneer of such a delicate instrument and it took several weeks for me to work up the nerve to make the first mark. But, once the first mark was made, there was really no turning back..."
Debra Hand's one-of-a-kind stringed instruments immediately produced a waiting-list of anxious collectors; the first cello she created was sold while it was still a work in progress.
Her one-of-a-kind designs are produced by first stripping the instrument of its original finish. Once the instrument is returned to a "white-finish," she carves intricate designs on the surface of the instrument, often making thousands of markings to create the overall patterns. To avoid puncturing the thin veneer of wood, each mark requires the utmost precision. After the overall pattern is created, each carved section is treated individually with a multi-layered application of stains, antiquing mediums and waxes.