My approach
My Story
I’m a self taught professional woodturner based in Cardigan, West Wales. I first started woodturning in 2017 from my shed at home. I now operate and teach from my workshop and craft shop.
I make food bowls, vessels and hollow forms, together with a range of smaller items.
I also sell seasoned and prepared wood blanks for fellow woodturners, together with one-to-one workshops.
Process
The turning process generally starts with the trunk of a storm fallen tree. I take time to look at it before I start.
Depending on the size and species I either mill into boards of different thickness to be dried for later use or I cut into chunks to be turned green.
Grain orientation has a big influence on the look of a finished piece so I’m looking to quarter saw as much as possible, this gives a lovely straight grain through the work and reduces movement.
Food Bowls & Plates
For the food bowls and plates I generally dry the boards for a year to start the drying process. They are then cut into blanks and rough turned and left to dry completely before second turning, sanding and oiling with a certified food safe finish. This means they can be used on a daily basis for meals and hand washed.
Artistic Work
For artistic work, vessels and hollow forms I green turn thin mostly using oak and leave to air dry. While drying the piece finds its final form, the amount of movement depends on grain pattern.
Once dry I use various techniques to bring out the beauty of the wood, one unique to me is lime washing and pebble burnishing. Flame, fire ash and carving are techniques I use frequently depending upon the item .
Style
I’m constantly working on my style but “refined rustic” is what I’d probably call it. I’m not directly influenced by anyone but feel I take ideas from various makers in wood and ceramic but also from nature and experimentation.
Sometimes things don't go to plan but rather than writing off a piece, I have developed a method of Hemp Stitching to make imperfections part of the beauty.
Where you can find my work
Apart from my workshop and gallery in The Strand, Cardigan, you can find my pieces at a few select galleries who share my core values.
Oriel CRiC Gallery in Crickhowell - run by volunteers and open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday.
Waterfront Gallery in Milford Haven - an amazing Grade 2 listed loft space with views over the harbour, plenty of parking and good transport links.