I started turning in 1993, quickly found that I absolutely love it, and became a full-time turner in 1998. Though I'm mostly self-taught, I have had several hands-on classes with such people as John Jordan, Mike Lee and Jacques Vesery, which have helped me to build my skills. I've also been inspired and influenced by many other turners and wood artists who either live in or have passed through Hawai`i .
My current work incorporates designs based on freeform Celtic knots and explores how the curving, undulating patterns can cross cultures, look like something from nature or illustrate an emotion.
I wanted to explore something from my own Scottish Irish culture and to take knotwork in a new direction; so rather than just drawing, then burning, the knot around the rim of a platter, I allow my designs to drift across the pieces and flow over the edges. I use simple bowl shapes, which have been dyed and textured, as back drops on which to weave the designs.
I love the idea of hidden things and am also making a series of boxes that don’t appear to be boxes at first glance. They also have the Celtic based designs on them and the graphics flow into the insides of the pieces also.
