The items shown are primarily gift-type items sold through galleries. Please refer to the "Exhibits/Shows" link on the left. Most are made from local trees felled in the "Urban Forests" that are our residential neighborhoods.
I also do turnings for architectural finials, custom table legs, and similar.
Liquidambar Salad Bowl
Liquidambar (yes, that is the correct spelling) is a common parkway tree in Southern California that grows fast and is considered something of a 'trash' tree. Normally the wood is bland and boring but, every so often when a block is left to sit around for a while before turning, it picks up a random discoloration that makes it interesting. In other parts of the country the tree is known as "sweetgum". This piece is 13" dia. $175.
Ash Nested Trio
Ash is another common yard tree in Southern California. Invariably bland, it makes for a very utilitarian bowl. In this example three bowls were made from a single block, one sliced out from within the other using specialized tools. They are a true matched set. The largest is just over 11" dia. $275.
Olive Vase
The gnarled lower trunk of most olive trees yields some very interesting grain. It also results in a great many voids and cracks. Is this wood they become features, not flaws. This vase measures 8" tall, $350.
Mimosa Winged Bowl
One challenge of woodturning is to blur the distinction between "Art" and "Function". This is a perfectly funtional bowl. However, by leaving a thin disk of the wood and bark in place, the visual interest is heightened and the viewer can actually see where it was once a tree. This piece is 16" across the longest dimension, $450.
Cherry Burl Form
Another popular ornamental tree in this area is a species of Cherry that yields nice white flowers in February but almost no fruit. Like many other common trees, the wood is usually quite bland. However, occasionally that oddity of nature called a burl appears and this wood becomes most interesting. This piece is 5" tall, $250.