March 5, 2016 (9:00am to 1:00pm)
Mann Tool & Supply, 802 Chris Drive, West Columbia, SC 29169
Artisan Statement
I enjoy rescuing, revealing, and preserving the incredibly diverse inherent natural beauty of the fallen tree through the art of high speed wood sculpting, creating elegant signature sculptures for art and utilitarian use; heirlooms for generations of enjoyment.
About the Artist
Growing up in the foothills of the California Sierras, Mike, along with his three brothers and parents, explored the mountains, deserts, forests, and spent countless glorious days on, in and under the pacific waves. This foundation, along with Mike's Dad's influence as an industrial arts teacher, led to his appreciation of trees and their incredibly beautiful and diverse timber. Mike has been turning since November, 2009, and is a current member of the American Association of Woodturners, Blue Ridge Woodturners and Central Virginia Woodturners. Mike lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with is wife, Cindy. In addition to turning, his passions include architecture, constitutional history, biking, hiking & snowboarding. Together, Mike and Cindy run their national sales & marketing business.
Material and Medium
Every year, storms across the US and around the world force down hundreds of thousands of trees. How wonderful for mankind to wisely utilize this incredibly beautiful and diverse natural resource. In 2009, Mike discovered rescuing, revealing and preserving beautiful timber through the art of high speed sculpting (woodturning) to be exhilarating and honorable. Committed and determined, Mike studied books and videos from professional turners and set upon a path of experimentation, of trial and error, with the goal of developing a style of his own. Through persistent effort his signature Geometrics and Winged Natural Edge emerged, elegantly displaying the inherent natural beauty of the fallen tree for art and utilitarian use, heirlooms for generations of enjoyment. Mike's work is sold primarily through select US galleries.
Timber Sourcing
For natural edge and traditional turning, Mike rescues regional timber downed from storms and tree services. Mike also sources domestic and international kiln-dried timber for his geometric turnings.
Finishes
Mike's utilitarian bowls, platters and lidded boxes are finished with TY Finish, a custom blend of utilitarian food safe oil (100% organic, zero voc, polymerized flax seed & shea oil), which penetrates and hardens in the wood, generally drying in 1-2 hours. Mike's winged natural edge art pieces are finished with a blend of penetrating oil and varnish that seals, protects and enhances the woods' inherent natural beauty, which Mike finally buffs resulting in a rich, warm glow.