Gentle to the touch, exquisite to contemplate, tractable in creative hands, stronger by weight than iron, wood [is], as William Penn had said, ‘a substance with a soul.’…
One of the remarkable things about wood is its self-expression. Whether as the handle of a tool, as a dead stump, or alive in a forest where every branch is a record of the winds that blew, it is always telling something about itself. This is why man has an affinity with wood not only as a mere material, but also as a kindred spirit to live with and to know.
–Eric Sloane, A Reverence for Wood.
I have been working with wood, sometimes professionally and sometimes out of passionate interest, for more than 35 years. My projects have included homes, furniture, cabinetry, and turned objects.
Everyday objects can be imbued with artistic design that enhances their function and enriches our lives. Whether I’m using a lathe, tablesaw, or handtools that are more than a century old, I strive to bring out the best in every piece of wood. Trees may live for centuries, but I am acutely aware that every piece of wood I select could take centuries to replace. My job is to bring to being an object that will last at least until that replacement piece of wood becomes available, and hopefully centuries beyond.
In addition to woodworking, I am also a writer and editor. I have two books and numerous articles to my credit. My writing on woodworking has appeared in Woodturning Design, American Woodturner, and Woodturning FUNdamentals. I am the editor of Woodturning FUNdamentals, a publication of the American Association of Woodturners.