Oil Lamp – Dyed Ash

As a woodturner living in Hawaii I became fascinated with the sensuous shape and feel of the calabash form, and grew to have a deep reverence for the meaning in both the ancient and modern Hawaiian culture. I enjoy the challenge of keeping it looking like a simple organic form whilst mastering the subtle nuances of balance, proportion, scale and flowing curves that make this form unique. It is my favorite form to turn, and each piece is made as a tribute to the form and the ancient craftsmen that made them. Fast forward to today, most of the artistic pieces I make have their origins in the calabash form, with rounded bottoms and organic shapes. I keep each piece simple with clean lines, no embellishments, and strive to let the attributes of the wood and the form speak for itself. My philosophy on woodturning and life in general is to keep it simple.