ABOUT WOODTURNING

I am an architect, artist, and woodturner living in Arizona. 

Sometimes we get upset when our favorite tree dies or gets blown over in a storm. I work to give these fallen friends new life by “turning” them into something beautiful. I use a lathe to make bowls and vessels out of wood from the trees I find around me.  

Each piece I make is unique. What makes these vessels different from another? Frist, the type of wood is important. Each species of tree has its own range of specific gravity, color, and grain. My favorite woods to use are Mesquite, Sissoo, Sycamore and Ash. Next, we look at the quality of the wood. Some wood is green (wet), and some is dry and cracked. Some material is so full of insect holes that it needs to be stabilized with resin before getting started. The resin allows for these pieces to have light shine through them. Finally, the shape and character of the tree influences the shape of the work. I often allow pieces of bark to show in the object. Some wood has knots and some pieces have burls. All these factors make each piece interesting and unique.   

I hope that you love your wood bowl as much as I loved making it. 

Merlin Ellis