Bonnie and the Art of Intarsia
			by Debi Osborne

The origin of the word "Intarsia" has been traced to 15th century Italy, where wood crafters first practised cutting and shaping three-dimensional "picture puzzles". Bonnie Verbeek, originally from Houston, started to learn Intarsia three years ago and like the ancient Italians, she is self-taught.

Bonnie at work with the band saw

Intarsia means a wooden "interpretation" of a picture. A picture is sectioned into puzzle-shape portions, which are then drawn onto pieces of wood. This is the stage of "patterning". Each piece of the pattern becomes an individual project and must be skillfully sketched, cut, shaped and sanded.

Finished Intarsia

Bonnie lives in Smithers, but returns weekends to Houston and the home she grew up in. There, she has the use of a large woodworking shop. A long counter holds her master pattern along with various cut-out pieces, at different stages of completion. Cedar, pine and spruce boards sit stacked at one end, funny-shapes drawn all over them, waiting their turn with the band or scroll saw.