I’m a Northern Minnesota artist creating contemporary wooden bowls, sculptures, and free forms. Each piece I make begins with a connection to the raw materials found in the forests and shorelines around me. I work primarily with local wood, letting its natural shape, grain, and imperfections guide the process. My goal is to craft work that feels honest and grounded, pieces that are modern in style but rooted in nature. Whether it’s a functional bowl or a purely sculptural form, I aim to create something that feels both timeless and alive.
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I confess, I am a perfectionist. If a piece does not live up to my standards it will not get my signature. I work with the wood, not against it, allowing the wood to determine which direction we will take. That approach makes every bowl, sculpture, or free form one of a kind. They are about presence. I want others to be able to feel the weight of the wood, to appreciate the time spent on a smooth flawless finish and be in awe of the organic elegance of the natural grains. Quality always comes before quantity. My process takes time, intention, patience and a connection. Purchasing artwork is generally a very personal investment; and although I have been on this journey for over 17 years I am still humbled and honored whenever someone connects to one of my pieces.
Although I did not keep track the first years, I have now created more than 500 pieces by hand. That number is not about volume, but it does reflect countless hours spent learning, refining, and connecting with the materials. Every piece has its own story, and together they represent a body of work that continues to grow and evolve.
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Eric Helland is a Northern Minnesota artist who creates contemporary wooden bowls, sculptures, and free forms by hand. His work is rooted in reclaimed materials and guided by the natural shape and character of each piece of wood.
