In 2005 after I had been retired from the business world I wanted to get back into art. During my business career I sculpted clay in what little spare time...
In 2005 after I had been retired from the business world I wanted to get back into art. During my business career I sculpted clay in what little spare time I had, but I didn't want to get back into that. I was interested in woodwork of some kind but didn't know in what way. A friend of mine invited me to a woodworking show and I attended a wood turning demonstration. I was "hooked" and bought my first of three lathes before I left the show.
Although I've attended demonstations by world class wood lathe artists, I have never received formal training. I am completely self taught, learning by trial and error. Mostly error in the begining. Also, I receive a great deal of help from other lathe artists all of whom are willing to share information and provide assistance.
95% of the wood I turn is from the Bay Area from San Mateo County in the north to Watsonville south. We have a large variety of beautiful wood. The only time I will turn wood from out of the area and exotic wood from other countries is if I'm commissioned to do so.
No tree is cut down just to create lathe art. The tree has been removed or come down for other reasons, such as a storm. I turn the wood wet "green" sometimes just a few days after the tree is down.
There is almost no waste. When I make a bowl blank the left over pieces are used to make wine bottle stoppers, or used to heat our home. A 12" to 16" bowl will almost fill a thirty gallon container with shavings. These are saved for mulch in our gardens or used as weed control in our field.