Heartfelt & Handmade
I carve these wares from greenwood, with knife and hatchet, drawknife, and gouge. I aim to create a functional yet personal object that will be cherished, cared for, and passed down through generations.
I find there is a solitude in working with my hands, an inward reflection as my breath slows, and the thoughts settle. The idea is to become intimate with the material and create something meaningful. My focus is on the feel of the knife cutting the fibers and the flow of the grain. Between the heart, the hands, and the material, there is an exchange of information. There is reciprocity between the physical nature of the wood and the intent of the craftsman. The reality of grain and atmosphere, blade, and fiber temper my ideas about the work. It is, for the most part, quiet work, conducive to contemplation.
Trees are a natural resource that need to be respected and protected, regardless of one’s location. Whenever possible, my work is created using locally-sourced material, wood that I have found or pruned myself, and the waste — the chips I produce from carving — go back on the compost pile, completing the cycle. These utensils are not throw-away, single-use objects, but are made for a lifetime, and longer. Unlike mass-produced, smooth plastic disposables, they possess character and sustainability, making them heirloom objects to be handed down through generations.