But That's Art!

I started working with a scroll saw, eventually creating several pattern articles about it; designing several pieces based on gothic cathedral windows. Becoming bored with relatively two-dimensional work, I turned to the lathe about 12 years ago and never looked back. I prefer to use fresh wood, turning ‘green’ to the final piece, letting the wood have the final say, moving as it dries and relaxes. I especially like gnarly wood–crotches, burls–injuries and insect damage all add to the grain and color of the wood giving each piece a unique beauty. Wood is a tactile and warm medium and handling is encouraged. It is part of the enjoyment. Sometimes when I start a piece, I have an idea of what I want to shape, but the wood may take me in a different direction, telling me what it wants to be, but sometimes I end up making designer firewood. My wife, Trish, uses pyrography, piercing or coloring techniques to add surface design elements to some of the turned pieces; Trish also serves as a design consultant.

- Bruce Pratt