Too much wood, so many projects, so little time!
This is a common predicament with most woodturners I know. We have so many ideas, a ton of wood, and not enough time in the day to complete everything we would like to do. I'm no different. So how did I get to this point. I started my woodturning journey in 2004. Got the bug bad. Finding suitable wood became a priority. I became a proud paying member of the "No Burl Left Behind Society". In 2004-2005, I processed enough tree crotches to fill 5 pallets of figured walnut, cherry, maple, and cottonwood turning blanks 4' tall. I was a happy woodturner. Then around 2010 I saw a smart little acorn made by a Lindow Rose Engine. I was hooked. Then I heard "Oh, that takes a special exotic wood". Another rabbit hole. You get it. This is my story...........
As a woodturner, I keep myself fresh by challenging myself on a daily basis to try different mediums, embellishing techniques, tooling, etc. I try never use a plain piece of wood unless I'm going to texture or color it. I do not limit myself to one type of art form as you will see in my gallery. I like the pureness and feel of the utilitarian piece. I also like the expressiveness you can convey on a piece of wall art. I'll make a Chinese Puzzle Ball one day and the next time make a hollow form. This journey takes me in all directions.
When it comes to Ornamental Turning, I was blessed to be able to spend time with Gorst duPlessis in his NOLA workshop. He showed me that this form of complex turning does not have to be intimidating. The design opportunities on a rose engine or an ornamental lathe are only limited by your imagination. Feel free to contact me at braddavisstudios@gmail.com if you see something you like.
