Ken Ketter

Pyroglyphics, by Ken Ketter
“The Art of Wood and Electricity”

I have been an avid woodworking hobbyist for years. My most significant body of work was commissioned by famed architect Vern Swaback. Dozens of original, one of a kind furniture and wall art pieces were produced for Vern’s high end Paradise Valley/Scottsdale clients as an adjunct to their homes created by Vern and his team. I have been working on perfecting a new style of art, which I named Pyroglyphics, for the last 2 years. I now collaborate with my wife, son, daughter-in-law and four granddaughters to produce wonderfully unique art pieces.

Pyroglyphics is a unique art style combining fine woodwork with a technique called Fractal Burning. This technique uses 12,000 volts of electricity which is passed through wood to produce Lichtenberg Figures. These figures resemble lightning bolts and are largely random. I use a proprietary method to control the burning process to allow the expression of my vision for a particular piece.

Once burned, the piece is often colored by using wood dye to enhance the story told by the burn. A specialized method of applying the dye is used to bring the piece alive.

As an alternative to dying, a clear f...

I was born and raised in a small farming community located in southwest Iowa, USA. After graduating from the University of Iowa with a DDS degree, I moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where I practiced for 12 years. At 38, I sold all my business interests in Phoenix and moved to a small mountain community in Arizona located at an elevation of 7,600 feet. There, I became a self taught fine woodworker. I quickly gained a skill level such that I was constantly commissioned to produce one-of-a kind custom pieces, primarily furniture and wall art. I caught the eye of Vern Swaback, world renowned architect/designer, and was commissioned to produce many art pieces for him and his clients. He was a student of Frank Lloyd Wright and, from him, I developed a love for geometric shapes and straight, simple lines. His influence is still expressed in my work today.

After sixteen years, we moved to a larger mountain community, Flagstaff, AZ, to be near our son, his wife and their 4 daughters. I have continued my love of woodworking and about 3 years ago introduced a technique called Fractal Burning. This technique uses 12,000 volts of electricity which is passed through wood to produce Lichtenberg Figures. These figures resemble lightning bol...

Our medium sized town of Flagstaff, Arizona, does not allow many opportunities for showing ones work. I have been a featured artist at our local Coconino Center for the Arts Gallery. I also participate in our local art walks. In these venues I have found gratifying acceptance of my work.