Jeff Brown - Wood Lathe

Artist Statement:

I process fallen timber much like firewood. Cut to length and split in half, round blanks are then cut on a bandsaw, and finally mounted on a lathe where a simple chunk of wood becomes a thing of beauty. I start roughing out a bowl or shape first to see what lies within, then decide what unique features of the wood I want to highlight in the final form. 
  
Typically I use wood harvested here in Wyoming, like my aspen bowls which come from fallen trees at my family's cabin site in the Snowy Range. I also use wood from various locations throughout the United States. On rare occasions an exotic wood species is used, such as the wood in my mango bowls which comes from Hawaii.

Artist Bio: 

In 1999, Jeff’s family bought land in the Snowy Range and built a log home. Working with timber, the process of building a log home, and the smell of freshly cut wood were inspirations to continue creating things out of wood. Throughout the years he built several pieces of furniture and refinished a number of antique pieces.
 
He retired in 2022 and saw retirement as an opportunity to fulfill his desire to create in a more artistic way. A new lathe turned out to be the perfect creative outlet. When not in the shop, he is usually cycling, fishing, kayaking, or traveling.