| Michael Finkelstein, Eco-Woodturner |
ARTIST STATEMENT
I have been an avid woodworker for over 25 years, yet it has been only since 2002 that I began woodturning bowls and hollow-forms.
I am primarily self-taught, always researching and experimenting with new techniques to expand my knowledge of woodturning and trees.
I woodturn from hardwoods that I personally get from tree recycling sites, the streets of Greater Toronto Area, friends and customers across Ontario.
I often inscribe the tree location on the bottom foot of a bowl or platter. Utilizing recycled logs helps me minimize the environmental impact of my work.
Only hardwood logs with unusual shape, design or figure in the grain are selected. I believe that each piece of wood is unique with its own special personality.
The mechanical process of woodturning involves combining an understanding of wood characteristics with artistic form. As I look at a tree log to be cut with
my chainsaw, I try to envision the end-product bowl or vase in the tree - I cut the wet wood into various sizes of bowl and hollow-form blanks (unturned wood).
Even the smallest pieces of wood are put to use, in the making of fine desk pens. I enjoy working with wood that highlights the tree's predominate grain
pattern and figure in feather crotch, burls, knots, natural defects and stress cracks. I utilize a natural air-drying method that can take up to six months.
While I begin turning each piece with some final shape and design in mind, the wood's natural form, grain and figure guides and inspires me to bring out the
best characteristics in the final artistic form. Only when I am satisfied with the result will I engrave my *signature on it.
I enhance the beauty of each piece by applying a hand-rubbed natural non-toxic finish.
All of my creations are intended to be functional. Bowls and platters are suitable for serving food.
The hollow-forms are usually wide enough to accept glass liners.
I enjoy the challenge that this craft provides because it encompasses both a technical process and an artistic element.
I am a member of the Ontario Crafts Council. My works were featured in Canadian House & Home Magazine and the Ontario Crafts Council has profiled my
work on their website, in February 2008.
July 2010
* Signature style: "MJ Finkelstein"
I have been an avid woodworker for over 25 years, yet it has been only since 2002 that I began woodturning bowls and hollow-forms.
I am primarily self-taught, always researching and experimenting with new techniques to expand my knowledge of woodturning and trees.
I woodturn from hardwoods that I personally get from tree recycling sites, the streets of Greater Toronto Area, friends and customers across Ontario.
I often inscribe the tree location on the bottom foot of a bowl or platter. Utilizing recycled logs helps me minimize the environmental impact of my work.
Only hardwood logs with unusual shape, design or figure in the grain are selected. I believe that each piece of wood is unique with its own special personality.
The mechanical process of woodturning involves combining an understanding of wood characteristics with artistic form. As I look at a tree log to be cut with
my chainsaw, I try to envision the end-product bowl or vase in the tree - I cut the wet wood into various sizes of bowl and hollow-form blanks (unturned wood).
Even the smallest pieces of wood are put to use, in the making of fine desk pens. I enjoy working with wood that highlights the tree's predominate grain
pattern and figure in feather crotch, burls, knots, natural defects and stress cracks. I utilize a natural air-drying method that can take up to six months.
While I begin turning each piece with some final shape and design in mind, the wood's natural form, grain and figure guides and inspires me to bring out the
best characteristics in the final artistic form. Only when I am satisfied with the result will I engrave my *signature on it.
I enhance the beauty of each piece by applying a hand-rubbed natural non-toxic finish.
All of my creations are intended to be functional. Bowls and platters are suitable for serving food.
The hollow-forms are usually wide enough to accept glass liners.
I enjoy the challenge that this craft provides because it encompasses both a technical process and an artistic element.
I am a member of the Ontario Crafts Council. My works were featured in Canadian House & Home Magazine and the Ontario Crafts Council has profiled my
work on their website, in February 2008.
July 2010
* Signature style: "MJ Finkelstein"
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| Handcrafted from environmentally recycled trees |
