Leo Louise (they/them) is a queer and trans artist, wood sculptor, and educator based in Baltimore, MD. They transform found wood into sculptural objects that honor queerness, abundance, and cooperation in nature. Their work often features intricate carved and burned designs and bold colors contrasted with natural wood grain. As a self-taught artist, Leo came into woodworking through community networks and mutual learning—not formal training. That DIY lineage informs their commitment as an educator to demystify craft and challenge who gets to belong in spaces of making.
Web: thanksfriendstudio.com
Instagram: @thanksfriendstudio
Demonstrations
Power Carving & Surface Design 101: Tools, Textures, and Safe Techniques
This introductory demo gives turners a clear, approachable overview of power carving as a companion to the lathe. It covers how micromotor carvers work, recommended gear, safe and ergonomic setups, beginner-friendly woods, and the fundamental burr types used to sculpt and add texture. We’ll go over simple surface design techniques—relief carving, stippling, cup burs, experimental texturing—and explore how a woodburner can complement carving to create unique patterns. Participants leave with a solid understanding of the tools, essential texturing techniques, and inspiration to explore carving and woodburning in their own work.
Power Carving & Surface Design 201: Complex Patterns, Layered Texture, and Color
This advanced demo dives deeper into developing bold, intricate designs on turned forms. Building on basic rotary carving knowledge, we’ll explore how to create multi-layered textures, options for building outward from a flat surface, and adding exciting color using acrylics, milk paint, inks, dry brushing, and washes. You’ll learn how to bring bold, layered textures to life and how to use contrast and repetition to make surfaces visually compelling. Ideal for turners ready to push beyond basic embellishment and into expressive sculptural surface work. Participants will gain strategies for designing complex patterns, techniques for combining carving and color, and ideas for pushing turned forms into expressive sculptural surfaces.
Hands-On: Power Carving for Turners: A Hands-On Introduction
This session introduces woodturners to power carving as a way to enhance turned forms. Participants will learn how micromotor carvers function, how to set up safely and ergonomically, which tools and materials are best for getting started, and how to approach surface design through carving and texturing. Through guided practice, students will gain confidence using the equipment and develop a feel for how carving can expand their turning work. Participants leave with practical experience and inspiration to incorporate these techniques into their own pieces..