Artist’s Statement & Bio

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, I have worked with and been involved with wood most of my life.  After retiring from a major truck manufacturing company six years ago, I converted my part-time wood-working hobby into a full time effort and soon found myself with a lathe.  Nothing has been the same since. 

Working with wood had been a rewarding experience, but once I discovered the Lathe and woodturning, I was hooked.   My wood working soon evolved from turning small objects like pens and salad bowls to the more intricate segmented bowls and hollow form vessels I now craft.  

It is difficult to describe the Zen-like state experienced when I am turning wood, as I never know what to expect once the tool is put to the wood.  Many times the design I start with has no resemblance to the final result.  The wood seems to dictate when and how the beauty of its grain and structure are revealed.  There are many kinds of  incredibly beautiful woods, but I particularly like those elegantly painted by Mother Nature, a category in which I would include the Spalted and Figured Maples. 

Much of my time is spent in the shop drawing and planning new designs before I make that first cut.  Converting my designs into segments to be used in my final piece is the true challenge and very exciting.   Segmented construction is the process of cutting numerous pieces in either a flat ring construction or a compound style and encompasses a design in the feature ring of the piece. It can combine many different designs but doesn’t always include something complicated, as it can be rewarding with a pretty natural wood making up the entire piece. 

Although segmented work is my favorite form of wood turning, I am constantly learning new processes and my work continues to evolve along with the creative experience.  Recent pieces include hollow form vessels, bowls and various other complex items.  

I enjoy working with many domestic woods like Cherry, Maple, Black Walnut and Oak, and often combine them with a wide variety of exotic woods.  These blends of domestic and exotic woods frequently emphasize Southwest design.  The types of woods in some of my current pieces include Purple Heart, Red Heart, Yellow Heart, Canary Wood, African Blackwood , Padauk and Ebony.  In honor of a green approach to wood consumption, I also use a wide variety of South American hardwoods obtained from managed forests and use recycled woods whenever possible. 

Currently President of The Ridgefield Art Association, I am also an active member of the Battle Ground Art Alliance, Northwest Woodturners, Cascade Woodturners and The American Association of  Woodturners,  As I have studied with many of today’s finest masters in the field, my work incorporates both modern and classic wordturning methods. 

My work is displayed at fairs, galleries and art shows throughout Clark County.  Exhibits of my pieces have also been sponsored by several local businesses. I have been invited to display individually and also with other woodworkers and woodturners.  I hope you enjoy viewing my pieces as much as I have enjoyed creating them.