I was drawn to artistic pursuits during the upheaval of the early pandemic days in 2020. Unable to go to work during the shutdown and having just moved to a new house, I turned my attention to landscaping my new yard and, in the process, encountered a dead cherry tree with a small burl that sparked my interest. I knew this piece of gnarled wood was worth saving, and it became the impetus to explore woodturning. Fast forward two years, and with my mentor, Steve Wiseman, I salvaged that cherry burl and transformed it into one of my most cherished pieces and the second I ever turned. With a warm grain studded with eyes, color shifts, and undulating curves, cherry burl remains my favorite wood to turn.

As the pandemic thankfully waned, my exploration into diverse artistic disciplines increased. In 2023, I immersed myself in the art of MIG welding under Walter Clark's tutelage at Stonybrook Metal Arts. The interplay of metal and flame introduced me to a new realm of expression, providing a sharp counterpoint to the organic nature of woodturning. Later that year, I delved into the art of throwing clay with Andrew Jacoff of Rokuro Pottery. This added discipline allowed me to balance the intensity of metalwork with the responsive and meditative qualities inherent in shaping form from raw earth.

In an era marked by ceaseless distractions, the focused dedication demanded by each artistic discipline acts as a grounding force in my life. Wood, steel, and clay serve as conduits for my creative expression, offering a welcome respite from the relentless noise of the external world.