the wood turner

After graduating from The Art School, Pratt Institute, I spent a number of years in the construction business where my art training allowed me to focus on the design of structures and furniture. From cabinet making and homebuilding I moved into publishing which gave my desire to create things a chance to blossom. Over the course of my journalism career, I have been associated with a number of major publishing houses in both the magazine and book publishing business, including Hearst, L.A.Times-Mirror, CBS Magazines, Prentice Hall and Grosset & Dunlop. My specialty was creative DIY with a focus on expertise, skills and techniques as well as home improvement and decorating. Most in the magazine business move around quite a bit during the course of their careers; I was no different. My editorial positions ranged from Home and Shop Editor for Popular Mechanics to Workshop/Studio Director for Woman's Day, culminating with an appointment as Executive Editor for Mechanix Illustrated (now dba Today's Homeowner). While at the various publications I also authored several books for Prentice-Hall, Hearst Books and Grosset and Dunlop Good Life Series. Also, after receiving back the rights from Grosset & Dunlop to my "Finishing and Refinishing" book, I updated it and published it under my own imprimatur. Over the years I have also done consultant work for a number of major manufacturers, performing a variety of tasks from creating editorial packages to designing original furniture projects, shooting product photography and serving as radio and TV spokesperson. I have had the pleasure of working with such manufacturers as 3M, Minwax, Skil-Bosch, Porter-Cable, Stanley Tools and UGL. I devoted my attention full-time to woodturning about five years ago and, I have never looked back. In fact, it seems that the more I turn, the more I want to turn: The days speed by as the shavings fly from the lathe. Though I occasionally work with the exotic woods, most of my work is created from what Trent Bosch calls ‘Rescued Wood”. That is, wood from trees that have been downed by storm or sickness. My good friend Pete Dooley, a skilled tree surgeon, allows me full access to the trees brought into his yard, before they head to the chipper. My work has been greatly influenced by such master turners as David Ellsworth, Alan Stirt and Phillip Moulthrop. I have had the good fortune to spend a weekend turning and learning in David’s studio and, several days working one-on-one with Alan. My art training gives me a leaning toward the Bauhaus principle which is, “Less is More”. Thus, I do a minimal amount of “add-on” decorating, etc. ---striving, instead, to uncover on the lathe the beauty (energy) which is inherent in the wood. Noted wood turner, Ed Moulthrop, said it best: "I don’t design beauty, I uncover it.”. If my work uncovers the wood's inner beauty for you I will have succeeded. Thanks for visiting my website, come back often; and, please feel free to contact me with comments or questions.---Harry Wicks