STATEMENT

After forty years in the field, woodworking has become a direct extension of who and what I am. My earliest experiences were in my Kentucky grandfather's garage tinkering around with his tools while he was busy working on something needed for the modest mountain home he shared with my grandmother. I discovered a great deal of pleasure in putting things together. My first formal instruction in wood working came at the age of thirteen while taking wood shop in junior high school. This is where I learned that without careful planning and execution it was pretty easy to mess up a perfectly good piece of wood.

It was while studying art at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte that I discovered the pure pleasure of working with a beautiful piece of wood. Wood is within itself very beautiful. I've always felt that my number one job was not to screw that up. I've found that with careful planning and execution my artistic endeavors can enhance that beauty and visa versa. I enjoy making wood sometime appear as soft as a pillow and then in the same piece give it a hard edge. These contrasts present an almost irresistible invitation to touch.

I take great pleasure in working in contrasting woods and mathematically precise inlays. These combinations result in forms that are reminiscent of those found in nature. In many ways it is mathematic calculation that creates an organic form.

My current work is leading me in a direction of sustainability. I am using woods approved by the National Hardwoods Association as replenishable resources. All sheet goods are on NAUF (no added urea formaldehyde) platfoms. I am using the highest quality finishing equipment to apply a very low VOC (volatile organic compounds) water-based catalyzed lacquer. All of this means less waste and cleaner air. I am finding a great deal of artistic and technical success through collaboration with designers and artists alike.

As I look forward to the future I anticipate further collaborations, keeping current in new trends and techniques, and, hopefully, another forty years of successful woodworking experience.

Please don't hesitate to contact me with any thoughts, ideas or insights, Roger.