Artist Statement

Attraction, distraction, compulsion, addiction, fetish, fascination, are all phrases that can describe my relationship with wood. The colors and textures are irresistible to me. The more variety that is found the more variety is sought after. We collect wood for turning from all over the world. Our commitment is to find the wildest grain the most striking colors. Our searches are not in vain. We collect burls and curly wood from anywhere we can. We also collect rare and exotic woods from even more remote places. The largest pieces are destined to become vessels; the cut offs and odd lots will become smaller projects, such as pens, trim for palm nut turnings or even miniatures. We try to waste as little wood as possible. Throwing away only shavings. In this way we feel we have used the resource to its' fullest potential. We use many woods that are indigenous to the United States. The favorites being maple and cherry burl. Since many of the burls we use are small, by logger standards, they are inadequate for use as fine veneer. Thus wood we get is mostly what is cast off from other trades that use wood. Many times in the past burl that is perfect for our use is left in the woods to rot. Within the past 10 years, however, loggers have been made aware of the value of this wood to turners, like myself, and more often are making it available to us. Please view the various pages of our web site with the knowledge that every piece is made by hand. Also know that every piece was selected for its' beauty for that particular project and little was put to waste. Good craftsmanship and a reverence for wood are the standards by which all our products are made. We hope you share our love and feeling for this remarkable material.



Tamarind Woodturning - P.O. Box 19366 - Johnston, RI 02919 - iafrateturns@cox.net
 Last Revised: 22.08.2004 Comments or suggestions? e-mail the WEBMASTER