| TWG March Meeting Our own, Michael Finkelstein |
I have been an avid woodworker for over 25 years, yet it has been only 7 years since I began woodturning bowls and
hollow-forms. I am primarily self-taught, always researching and experimenting with new techniques to expand my
knowledge of woodturning and trees.
I woodturn from hardwoods that I personally get from tree recycling sites, the streets of Greater Toronto Area,
friends and customers across Ontario. I often inscribe the tree location on the bottom foot of a bowl or platter.
Utilizing recycled logs helps me minimize the environmental impact of my work.
hollow-forms. I am primarily self-taught, always researching and experimenting with new techniques to expand my
knowledge of woodturning and trees.
I woodturn from hardwoods that I personally get from tree recycling sites, the streets of Greater Toronto Area,
friends and customers across Ontario. I often inscribe the tree location on the bottom foot of a bowl or platter.
Utilizing recycled logs helps me minimize the environmental impact of my work.
Only hardwood logs with unusual shape, design or figure in the grain are selected. I believe that each piece of wood is unique with its own special
personality. The mechanical process of woodturning involves combining an understanding of wood characteristics with artistic form. As I look at
a tree log to be cut with my chainsaw, I try to envision the end-product bowl or vase in the tree - I cut the wet wood into various sizes of bowl
and hollow-form blanks (unturned wood). Even the smallest pieces of wood are put to us, in the making of fine desk pens. I enjoy working with
wood that highlights the tree's predominate grain pattern and figure in feather crotch, burls, knots, natural defects and stress cracks. I
utilize a natural air-drying method that can take up to six months.
While I begin turning each piece with some final shape and design in mind, the wood's natural form, grain and figure guides and inspires me to
bring out the best characteristics in the final artistic form. Only when I am satisfied with the result will I engrave my *signature on it.
I enhance the beauty of each piece by applying a hand-rubbed natural non-toxic finish.
All of my creations are intended to be functional. Bowls and platters are suitable for serving food.
The hollow-forms are usually wide enough to accept glass liners.
I enjoy the challenge that this craft provides because it encompasses both a technical process and an artistic element.
I am a director of the Toronto Woodturners Guild and a member of the Woodturners Guild of Ontario, the American Association of
Woodturners, the Ontario Crafts Council and the World of Woodturners. My works were featured in Canadian House & Home Magazine and the
Ontario Crafts Council has profiled my work on their website, in February 2008.
personality. The mechanical process of woodturning involves combining an understanding of wood characteristics with artistic form. As I look at
a tree log to be cut with my chainsaw, I try to envision the end-product bowl or vase in the tree - I cut the wet wood into various sizes of bowl
and hollow-form blanks (unturned wood). Even the smallest pieces of wood are put to us, in the making of fine desk pens. I enjoy working with
wood that highlights the tree's predominate grain pattern and figure in feather crotch, burls, knots, natural defects and stress cracks. I
utilize a natural air-drying method that can take up to six months.
While I begin turning each piece with some final shape and design in mind, the wood's natural form, grain and figure guides and inspires me to
bring out the best characteristics in the final artistic form. Only when I am satisfied with the result will I engrave my *signature on it.
I enhance the beauty of each piece by applying a hand-rubbed natural non-toxic finish.
All of my creations are intended to be functional. Bowls and platters are suitable for serving food.
The hollow-forms are usually wide enough to accept glass liners.
I enjoy the challenge that this craft provides because it encompasses both a technical process and an artistic element.
I am a director of the Toronto Woodturners Guild and a member of the Woodturners Guild of Ontario, the American Association of
Woodturners, the Ontario Crafts Council and the World of Woodturners. My works were featured in Canadian House & Home Magazine and the
Ontario Crafts Council has profiled my work on their website, in February 2008.
| Show and Tell |
| Michael Finkelstein shows us his techniques for turning a log into a beautiful Natural Edge Bowl |
| Coffee Break Time |