Introduction

This photo will introduce me as "The Woodturner", while reminding us that we often find strange things inside of the wood that we use.

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.

I moved to Tallahassee, Florida in 1981, and found myself surrounded by more species of trees than I had ever dreamed possible. Two years larer, 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 awakened me to 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 writing this "statement" because it has become necessary for everyone who thinks of themselves as an artist 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. And, I enjoy the satisfaction that I get from doing something that I can do well.

My addiction to woodworking began in high school. Making replica tall clocks and furniture became a lifelong hobby and part-time income. A wood lathe was always a part of my home-shop for making finials and other parts for clocks and furniture.