I’m in the construction industry and have been most of my life, and I’ve always had a preference for woodworking. From framing houses to building tables, shelves, or picture frames, I’ve always had an interest in the amazing patterns of wood grain. A couple years ago I finally bought a wood lathe and started turning bowls. My father-in-law spent a few days teaching me the basics and I have taken it from there. I’ve made/built a lot of amazing things, but when working on the lathe it’s the first time in my life I feel like an artist when I’m working.
Most of the lumber I use is either scraps from another project (like building a house) or from trees that have been taken down for one reason or another, often they have fallen in a storm. I figure if I can take parts of the tree and give them another life before they go to the compost pile then we all win. Once I get a piece in my hands, my focus is trying to bring out the most character I can, highlighting the natural beauty once hidden inside. Sometimes that means filling holes, gaps, and cracks with epoxy rather than throwing out the piece or making it smaller. I rarely stain or paint a piece, preferring a clear coat finish to highlight the natural beauty.
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