I am mostly self-taught as a turner, having started turning right before the pandemic, following a 40+ year career as a geologist. So, I spent the pandemic stay-at-home time turning during the days and watching videos at night. After a year of this, I upgraded to a full size lathe, because I wanted to turn larger items and because I was pretty sure I was bitten by the bug for life. I turn mostly bowls and hollow forms, with the occasional platter or vase. I see my role as a woodturner is to be the intermediary between the living tree and a new owner of the finished piece; hence, my responsibility is to bring out the beauty of the wood with a pleasing form and any other appropriate enhancements. When I started turning I yearned to make more and more bowls, because I learned a lot with each one. Now I strive to make better bowls, because I learn a lot with each one.