As a natural medium, each piece of wood is unique. As an artist, I see it as my responsibility to expose this beauty to the rest of the world. While exploring subjects from realistic animals and birds to human faces to chip carved items to turned bowls, platters, and functional items, I better understand how techniques from one style of carving or turning can be applied to another.
Woodcarving and woodturning have allowed me to observe and perceive things instead of just “seeing” them. Studying forms, shapes, and proportions in objects and in nature helps me determine what makes something pleasing to the eye.
As I create a new piece, I enjoy seeing the beauty of the wood emerge and how the light plays off each surface to enhance the object as it progresses to its final form. I find that my carving and turning sessions are a great way to turn 15 minutes into 3 hours. Working with wood provides me with a certain Zen that I find in no other activity.
