Working with the idea of center is essential to turning: the spinning axis defines what I do and the act of finding the center is one of the most basic operations. The jury selected 18 works for the show of which my boxwood wand was chosen. Finding the Center was presented online as part of the AAW Virtual Symposium and in-person at the AAW Gallery of Wood Art in Saint Paul from September 5 through December 30.
Open for all to watch or bid, the American Association of Woodturners' Live Benefit Auctions offer works primarily from well-established or mid-career turners. Included was my Geode Vessel in black agate wood.
A silver lining to the Covid pandemic was the newfound opportunity to take part in the various Zoom meetings and competitions held by the Society of Ornamental Turners in London. Their informal "lockdown competition" included a wide variety of work made during lockdown by turners around the world. I was honored to be chosen the winner for my resin-ivory pointer!
Delighted to share the details of my recent explorations using a 150-year-old Plant geometric chuck in combination with a rose-engine lathe in the Spring 2021 issue of Society of Ornamental Turners Bulletin #144. Included are eight pages and 23 photos describing the intricacies of creating the "geo-flower" design. (Later, at the annual SOT meeting in November, this article won the "Anthony Award" for the best Bulletin article!)
There aren't many live gallery exhibits these days (during this past year of COVID) but here's one I was happy to be part of! 450 Pieces featured over 450 original works of art in all media from more than 150 artists throughout Santa Cruz County. It was free, open to the public and presented the work among three galleries: Blitzer Gallery (westside in the Wrigley Building) Curated by the Sea (downtown) and Radius Gallery (Tannery Arts Center).
I very much enjoyed connecting with fellow ornamental turners from around the world during my Zoom presentation for the Society of Ornamental Turners. A year ago I started exploring the "geo-flower" design in more depth to see how I might take it further than my initial attempts over seven years ago. By adding pumping motion from the rose-engine lathe with the geometric chuck's fascinating designs, all sorts of new possibilities presented themselves. All was revealed during this global zoom presentation for SOT members!
In these uncertain times (Covid-19, local fires, record heat-waves, elections!) one thing is certain for me –– my desire to lathe-turn wood into beautiful objects, just as I have done for the past twenty years. Now, for the first time, I’ve compiled a retrospective of the highlights from my portfolio all on one page! View Pinterest portfolio
I'm very happy to be included for the third year in Masters of Contemporary Wood Art, Volume III. This annual publication brings together a beautiful collection of works from internationally recognized makers of contemporary wood art. All are actively working to push new boundaries and have presented exceptional work this past year in Wood Symphony Gallery online exhibits. Book preview
When I’m turning at an ornamental lathe, I often think about the history of the tools I’m using and the inventors and artists who explored ornamental turning before me. With that in mind (and the extra time at hand due to Covid-19 stay-at-home orders), I decided to significantly remake an OT website I created in 2007. You’ll find www.ornamentalturning.net brings together the stories of past turners and toolmakers in a new way, offering a useful context for the work OT enthusiasts create today. Delving into the history makes me appreciate the rich tradition of our field and proud to help carry it forward.
A curated exhibition of artistic wood boxes from thirty-three artists world-wide. This year's show featured my set of "Lightbulb Boxes." Exhibit website
As you can imagine I’ve been spending more time in the workshop these days… as the coronavirus took off and shelter-in-place orders were imposed I found myself cozying up to my Holtzapffel lathe a bit more than usual! Made in 1836, I realized it has survived many pandemics over the last 184 years - 12 to be exact! It's really been keeping me engaged throughout this one too!
Delighted to be featured in the June 2020 issue of American Woodturner magazine article about the Nature/Nurture Professional Outreach Program (POP) Exhibition. Included are a sampling of works from this year's show with an introduction by Tib Shaw. This year’s benefit auction, typically held during the AAW Symposium, was conducted via live online bidding.
This exhibit began in St. Paul, MN and was to be shown later that year in Louisville, KY at the AAW Woodturning Symposium. It was turned into a virtual symposium due to the pandemic and the piece was sold during that event in an online benefit auction. Pictured here is a detail from my piece inspired by the Monarch butterflies that return to my hometown each year and huddle in large clusters to stay warm through the winter. When temperatures rise, they suddenly burst into flight by the hundreds! Exhibit website
This is a curated exhibition of prominent international wood artists and I'm delighted to be in such great company! My offering is a collection of 18 nut & seed miniatures ranging from 1/4" to 2" height (plus two whole and two partial seed pod specimens). These carefully hollow-turned miniatures are made from seed pods and palm nuts from around the world. Exhibit website
I'm very happy to be included among so many exceptional artists in Masters of Contemporary Wood Art, Volume II. This annual publication brings together a beautiful collection of works from internationally recognized makers of contemporary wood art. All are actively working to push new boundaries and have presented exceptional work this past year in Wood Symphony Gallery online exhibits. Book preview
A Miniature Diamond Swirl Mandala Cup is featured in the book 1x1: A Legacy Of Craft, Community and Art In Wood. This piece was created for Albert LeCoff on the occasion of his 2018 retirement from the The Center for Art in Wood. The special edition book highlights small wonders from 53 artists and helps support the Fleur Bresler Publication Fund at the Center. Find out more
Carrying on the tradition started by Del Mano Gallery, Larisa Safaryan has curated another fantastic collection of pieces no larger than six inches in any direction. The exhibition features work by 40 artists from across the United States, Sweden, France, Germany, Ireland, UK, Japan, Peru and as far away as Australia. Exhibit website
In this display of artistic wood boxes curated by Wood Symphony Gallery, leading national and international artists offer a variety of ways an imaginative mind can transform the simple form into a unique work of art. View the exhibition
Honored to be the featured artist in DrechslerMagazin's August 2019 issue! Inside you'll find a beautiful five-page layout with numerous photos and details of how and why I create ornamental turnings. Find out more
Continuum is a themed juried exhibit on display at the AAW woodturning symposium in July followed by a gallery exhibit in St. Paul through the end of the year. I'm very excited to have brand new work included in this show, sale and print publication.
Honored to be part of the Southern Highland Craft Guild's exhibition in Asheville, NC. The show features 30 turners from around the world and runs throughout the summer from June 29th to September 22nd. On display are my Bulb Boxes — a collection of American hardwood vessels combined with exotic hardwood enclosures in the shape of a light bulb!
The June 2019 issue of American Woodturner magazine presents some of my new work in an article entitled "Two Must-See Wood Art Exhibitions this Summer." It features various artists from the upcoming WOODn't You Like to Know exhibit on display throughout the summer at the Folk Art Center of the Southern Highland Craft Guild on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
My ETSY shop is up and running! Here's the place to find unique hand-made gifts and collectibles from my workshop. Also available are museum quality pieces and works made specifically for themed exhibitions which have been featured in books and other publications, some of which have never been previously offered for sale. Each item is one-of-a-kind and when it's gone it's gone, so don't delay and have a look today! Visit ETSY shop