Gary Hawley, Arlington, MA

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I most enjoy learning new techniques.  Therefore, my work illustrates a wide variety of approaches to woodturning.  I often use maple, which I purchase from the sawmill across the river from my cabin in Vermont.  Maple takes on a beautiful finish and is close-grained, making it a good surface to work upon.  Maple also has several interesting varieties, such as spalted and ambrosia maple, as well as birds eye.   I also use cherry, which also finished nicely and has that appealing cherry color.  

Once I have turned the shape I am looking for on my lathe I use a number of techniques to embellish the surface.  This might involve texturing the surface or adding color or both.  I also use a pyrography pen, which etches subtle shades onto the surface using heat.    I also enjoy experimenting with unusual shapes and contours with a beautiful piece of maple or cherry.

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