I am a self-taught woodturner. I began turning on a multi-tool Shopsmith but soon learned I needed to have bigger heavier machine. After upgrading my skills improved greatly. When I put a piece of a fallen tree on the lathe, I may have a notion of the design of the finished piece but quite often that piece changes form as it develops on my lathe. I follow the wood “telling” me what it should look like. A piece may have a certain irregularity that I want to enhance and highlight or it may have a unique grain pattern that drives me to change the piece. I use videos made by woodturners from around the globe to inspire my designs and help me grow my skills.
People come to me and ask “do you turn xxx wood” and my normal response is I have not tried but I will try to turn nearly any wood. I enjoy the process of revealing the beauty of natural woods. I would like to grow my skills to the point I can turn unique pieces that can be displayed as fine artwork in any home. My other passion is to remind people that wood is meant to be touched. Unlike other media where the oils on the human hands can damage the pieces, the oils add to the patina and glow of the piece of wood, and in some cases adding additional protetion for that wood piece.
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