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 wood-turn from hardwoods that I personally get from local tree recycling sites, the streets of Greater Toronto Area, friends and customers across Ontario. I often inscribe the tree location on the bottom of my finished work. 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. I enjoy working with wood that highlights the tree's predominate grain pattern and figure in feather-crotch, burls, knots, birds-eyes, natural defects and stress cracks.
While I begin turning each piece with some final shape and design in mind, the wood's natural form, grain and figure 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 charcuterie boards are suitable for serving food.
I enjoy the challenge that this craft provides because it encompasses both a technical process and an artistic element.
My works have been featured in Canadian House & Home Magazine and have been purchased for private collections around the world.
In 2013, I was commissioned by the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) to create a nested set of bowls from the historic "Maple Leaf Forever" tree. These pieces are now part of the ROM Permanent Collection.
Link to the ROM video https://www.rom.on.ca/en/blog/the-maple-leaf-forever-tree-lives-on
June 2019
