 Life in art. Art in life. One never knows where the next idea will come. Nature gives us a lot of clues.
It’s that translation into a woodturning which is the elixir of satisfaction that I am trying to achieve. That being said, what defines a studio? Mine is physically a garage, but mentally it is a place of creation that is stimulated by the local classical music radio station. |
 There are many reasons that I have decided to show my work on the internet. Two of them are standing in this picture. If it weren’t for my father and grandfather, I would have never learned a more enjoyable skill.
I was a youngster of 13 years old, when my dad pointed me toward the lathe one winter night and gave me a few lessons. He turned me loose. I made a clunky, thick walled, red oak bowl and tinkered a little after that. As far as I recall, that was that. That clunky bowl has since resurfaced as a decoration with a clear globe and soap cakes in my sister’s new house. A few years ago, when I ran across a lathe that I was able to borrow from my good friend Terry, my lingering interest in wood returned. I found a local woodturning guild and my knowledge has grown exponentially and I’m still learning all of the time. I enjoy wood turning. I find it relaxing and therapeutic. When I’m working with a fragrant wood, the smell is intoxicating. I enjoy the texture. I can’t wait to see what the next piece of wood will reveal. I never get the same thing twice, but yet I would like to present a set of “something” in the future. I enjoy the social aspect of wood. My neighbors always drop in when I’m turning. I leave the “studio” (garage) door open for that reason, unless it’s freezing cold outside. Then I close the door and turn on the heater, but if the light is on, they are always welcome. I hate to see wood go to the landfill and get wasted. It’s amazing when you look around and see how others just take the trees for granted. Many trees have lived long lives, the least we can do is to celebrate them with a lasting memory. I don’t get super fancy with my finishes. I don’t want to. If you get a piece from me, I want you to use my bowls, enjoy them and don’t be afraid of them getting knocked around. Fill them with fruit, your keys, bills, mail, spare change or whatever is in your pocket for the day. If they are sitting on a shelf collecting dust instead of being useful, then I would feel insulted. But that’s just me. Enjoy the flaws, not all of life is perfect either. |