I have been a hobbyist woodturner for over three decades. My passion lies in crafting pieces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. I consider myself a craftsman striving to become an artist. Art cannot exist without craft, so each visit to my workshop is a combined journey of creation, expression, and skill advancement.
To me, wood is not just a material; it’s a canvas shaped by nature’s artistry. I strive to enhance the inherent beauty of wood by working in harmony with Mother Nature. A significant portion of my work begins with rescued wood—trees that have been removed from yards and were otherwise destined for landfills. I enjoy collaborating with Mother Nature, adapting to natural elements like insects or fungi, which results in layered and captivating works of art.
I am always exploring in my workshop, eager to turn my ideas into reality. Often, this requires me to create new jigs, methods, or ways of addressing challenges. I find immense joy in the problem-solving
aspects of woodturning.
Demonstrations
Hot Air Balloon
A hot air balloon – a balloon-shaped hollow form that floats on magnets!
Starting with a pre-hollowed balloon (there is not enough time to do the hollowing), we will finish the balloon (remove the tenon), create a basket, and make a base for the balloon to float above. All the pieces will be assembled together with the magnets and a supporting brass rod and tube. If there’s time, we may turn a small finial for the top of the balloon.
Upside Down Hollowing
Hollowing from the bottom of a piece makes hollowing more accessible for those with few hollowing tools. It also opens up new design possibilities.
In this demo, I will create a small hollow form, with a tiny opening – much too small to get a tool through. Hollowing from the bottom, I’ll only need a straight tool to hollow this shape. After hollowing, the bottom will be glued back in, matching the grain and hiding the glue line.
