Artist Corner
Cut Above The Rest
Dennis Whitlock handcrafts one-of-akind cutting boards
Story and Photos by Glenda Sanders
When it comes to pastimes , Dennis Whitlock ’ s true love is fishing . But , a new hobby has him turning scraps of wood into beautiful designer-like cutting boards for the kitchen .
From cutting and charcuterie boards to butcher blocks to cheese boards , Whitlock ’ s hand crafted designs are attractive and uniquely patterned , made from durable hardwoods .
“ I have made 35 cutting boards , and there are no two alike ,” he said . “ As far as I know , I will never make one identical to another one .”
Using woods with natural colors and different techniques , he crafts the serving boards in an array of elegant designs from a checkerboard to a zigzag to a striped to a chevron to a 3D-looking interlocking pattern . The different colors of the natural woods help give the boards their patterns and elegant designs from the purplish brown of purpleheart to the dark reddish brown of mahogany to the medium brown of Brazilian oak to the tan , sometimes almost white , of curly maple . “ I like cherry , walnut and maple . In my opinion ,
16 • MERIDIAN LIFE