My training was as a scientist, receiving a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Waterloo, Canada, and subsequent post-doctoral work at CalTech. I recently retired after 30 years of pharmaceutical research and I am now pursuing my woodworking passion, exploring a more artistic state of mind. In the woodturning that I do the challenge is to take a log from a tree and convert it into a pleasing form while exhibiting the beautiful colors and patterns inherent within the tree. I prefer my work to become a functional part of life where it will be picked up and used, however non-functional forms are an outlet for scientific and whimsical expression.

Most of the wood I use is responsibly harvested from local downed trees that might otherwise have found their way into a landfill.  The multi-step journey from chainsaw to finished item takes a year or longer since the 'green' logs are slowly and naturally air dried. This slow drying preserves the wood's color and figure.