Introduction

Wood is different from other art forms. It has a warm tactile feeling that can make it a pleasure to both hold and behold. And, I think of woodturning as having the dual roles of being both "Art" and "Craft".

The "Art" of my woodturning is to emphasize those natural shapes that offer their invitation to be held, and whose simplicity does not detract from the natural beauty of the wood. The "Craft" is in having the skills to accomplish this goal.

A Brief History

My addiction to woodworking began in high school, and I worked my way through an engineering degree by making ships wheels for marine restorations and waterfront restaurants in Seattle, Washington. Making replica tall clocks became a lifelong hobby and part-time income, and a wood lathe was always a part of my home-shop for making finials and other parts for the clocks.

I relocated to Tallahassee, Florida in 1981, and found myself surrounded by more species of trees than I had ever dreamed possible. Two years later, a hurricane gave me access to more wood than I could use in a lifetime. Following our meeting while collecting wood from a giant Magnolia that was uprooted by the storm, Mel Lindquist and John Read showed me the art of turned wood. I bought a General-260 lathe, added riser blocks to it, and I was seriously into woodturning. I haven't stopped since.

I am now in North Idaho, where the fishing is good, the mountains are accessable, and the snow is deep. I am turning as close to full time as I can while writing articles, teaching the craft and art of woodturning, and keeping up this Website

Everyone who thinks of themselves as an artist is expected to make a profound statement about their art, and their personal relationship with it.

My "Artist's Statement" is simple.

I turn wood at the the lathe because I enjoy doing it, I enjoy the personal recognition it has given me, and I enjoy the satisfaction that I get from doing something that I can do well.