Artist's Statement:

As a child, I probably climbed a lot of trees simply for fun.
There was a large elm in Kansas that invited me to climb high enough that
I was able to scare myself. As a young adult, I was fortunate to
have had an uncle who led me into carpentry, then into building construction.
As an older adult, I found a bit more creativity in the fields of remodeling,
restoration, and custom home design. Only recently
did I become both astonished and enamored when I discovered
the versatility of the wood lathe. One of these days, I may scare myself again.

I like the way wood responds to tools. I like to pick up a piece of wood and
speculate that there's a lovely grain or a challenging characteristic.
Almost every time something unique and beautiful can be discovered within.
I prefer to avoid lumber yards and harvest directly from a tree itself.
Where or how it has been growing may contribute unusual
characteristics that will distinguish my finished piece.

 

It is the grain of wood that distinguishes it from other mediums like clay,
metal or plastic. Everything you do must consider the grain,
whether it is coarse or fine, or how much stability the wood has.
Any kind of wood can be turned on a lathe, yet some wood types lend
themselves to more artistic freedom while another wood type is more suitable
for utilitarian uses.  I like to present many different species of woods in an exhibit.
 Some woods easily lend themselves to natural edge pieces while
others demand to be worked into completely finished pieces.
Different forms of work may enhance or hide the wood grain.
 One direction of set up on a lathe yields a totally different appearance
 than setting up the piece going in some other direction.
Wood can be turned straight with the grain, straight across the grain,
or diagonally across the grain. Experience and practice allows me
to experiment with increasingly different forms, discovering the best
way to manipulate a tool depending on the strengths, weaknesses,
or secrets of a particular piece of wood. Combining two or more woods
in the same piece expands the beauty and interest factors.
Many of these forms require a high degree of craftsmanship.

The wood itself moves as it is worked. That movement is a form of life
even though the tree is dead. What you do with it is determined
by the movement and determines the movement.
There is a constant dialogue between the wood and the woodworker.
By and large, I prefer to take the piece as nature gave it to me,
then try to bring out what nature put into it.
 
The type of pieces I'm currently making reflect my sense of being at peace with myself

TO CONTACT TERENCE:

call: 303-618-1862
or click to email:


Member of  A.C.E. Arts Coalition of Erie