Burning Lichtenberg figures is a fairly new technique in woodworking in which you apply a high voltage current across the surface of wood to burn random fractal patterns into the wood’s surface.
Lichtenberg Art can be a very dangerous, or even deadly, process if done carelessly. After a couple of publicized deaths, the American Association of Woodturners has banned the process or products produced by the process at any of their sponsored events.
The fractal patterns are named after German physicist Georg Lichtenberg who originally discovered and studied these patterns. The Lichtenberg figures in wood are remarkably similar to scars left on people that are struck by lightning. This serves as a very clear reminder to pay attention and not get careless when working with the homemade contraption that we use to create our art.
We use this technique on our wood-turned pieces such as vases, bowls, and coasters to make very unique pieces that are perfect gifts for someone that has “everything”. We also use inlays such as turquoise, copper, glow-in-the-dark epoxy and even 24k gold leaf to add to the uniqueness of our pieces.
If you’d like to learn more, you can watch some of our woodturning videos here.
