Gallery 2005

I specialize in rescued hardwoods native to my area. In fact I find I work with a lot of wood that most would find beyond salvaging. I really like taking some awful looking wood and turning it into something beautiful.

This spalted and wormy maple vessel with a walnut stopper came from maple log chunks in a brush pile in Varnell, Georgia and a walnut that gave way to a parking lot (regrettably) in Calhoun, Georgia.

The lidded vessel to the right came from a huge poplar tree that was threatening to destroy a friend’s home in Chattsworth, Georgia.

You may notice I like working with the "less than perfect."

I call this one “Escape from the Ashes” because it was almost burned in the fireplace as had been intended by the original owner of the badly weathered firewood pile. Once started I found it required a good deal more patience than I can normally command since the voids were large and the smaller segments of the side were attached to the rest of the piece by only a fragile finger in the bottom. Needless to say I felt significant satisfaction when I finished

This platter came from what the public works folks wouldn’t clear from the street when it fell in Eastridge, Tennessee. It had been down for some time, and much of it was already lost. It was round until the last finishing cuts on the lathe when it just couldn’t hold itself together any longer. It now resides in Maryland. This particular red oak tree was huge and cost me a blown tire in IH75.

Many turners don't care to work with sweetgum, but this salad bowl was discovered in some log chunks rolled down the hill into the forest in Ringold, GA. My wife loves it for popcorn while watching TV.

Goblets are fun to do but can be challenging sometimes.

I also make small lidded boxes in lots of shapes and call them Wish Boxes.

• Write your wish on a piece of paper and put it inside until it comes true.

• Big wishes take time, so start small if you’re short on patience.

• Wish Boxes are reusable.

• Tooth Fairies also use wish boxes.