It
all started with a kind, retired friend who enjoyed teaching
others about woodworking and woodturning. He recognized
a spark of interest in me and invited myself, along with
others, to come over and turn a pen. Fortunately only
one other person showed up and he had to leave after an
hour. This provided some individual one on one instruction
that was the handle to an extremely large door of opportunity.
The
next stage of my journey included a table top mini-lathe
and band saw. I would cut small pieces of wood and turn
them with a few tools at the kitchen table. At the same
time, I joined the local woodturning club and received
much needed instruction and eventually the donation of
a lathe upgrade. Around this time I was teaching an instrument
ground class for my company’s flight school. I had
two students in that class that would help continue my
development.
These
two students have become close friends. One was a colleague
from work and the other, her husband, was a wood artist
and sculptor. While they were out on assignment for the
company, I was given full use of Harry’s studio.
I honed my turning skills, roughing out and finishing
many bowls. Upon their return, Harry provided guidance
and knowledge, along with a friendship that has been invaluable.
My
work has evolved to include off the lathe design and sculpting.
Although the lathe is critical for what I want to accomplish,
it is not the end all. There is a constant challenge to
provide a pleasing, well balanced form while providing
a visual journey through the positive and negative space.
I’m continually excited about my work as I pursue
more ideas, some following a more simple line and others
involving great detail.
My
work has been involved with local gallery and corporate
displays. It has also appeared on the various woodturning
websites, displayed in past AAW instant galleries, and
critiqued at the 2005 AAW symposium. I am honored to have
been selected into the 2005 “Re-turn to the Land
of Oz” and the 2006 “Step Up to the Plate”
AAW juried exhibitions.
I
can be contacted via email at ce560man@yahoo.com
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