Paint / Woodwork / Art

My background in woodworking started in Germany with my apprenticeship as a luthier, where I built guitars, banjos, mandolins, and the occasional folk instrument like dulcimers. What was supposed to be a 6 month trip around the world turned into me emigrating to the USA. In Los Angeles, I joined IATSE Local 729 and painted movie sets and scenery until retirement. Currently, I paint landscapes in oil. During Covid quarantines, I picked up the skill of woodturning. It has always intrigued me for its freedom of expression, and it is something I haven't done previously. Unbound by traditional forms and norms, I find it liberating.

The vast majority of my wood is locally sourced from piles destined for firewood. I choose crotch pieces, ugly roots, burl, and any misshapen pieces when I look for wood. They are usually the most interesting specimen. After rough turning, I let the project dry to finish later. My preferred surface finish is Cyanoacrylate, also known as Super Glue. It leaves not only a rugged gloss finish but is food safe. While the wood projects dry or await further treatment, I busy myself with oil paintings. The world of Movie and Television production is fast paced, and time is of the essence. Water- based paint with its fast drying properties is the proper medium. Oil-based paints cure slower and allow for a more intimate process. No deadline leaves time to explore and play. Of course, the paint needs time to cure, which allows me to swing back to my lathe and bowls.