Craig Timmerman

I picked up woodturning ten years ago when I took a weekend class at a local store.  After that weekend the wood working equipment in my shop ceased to be used for anything except woodturning.  I’m now on my third lathe and am turning semi-professionally.

My specialties include hollow forms, spheres, multi-axis work, and non-round (e.g. square) turnings.  My “Swing” series is an example of combining hollow forms and non-round turnings.  My “Alien” vessel series features multi-axis vases and alien faces.  Production work includes my “Flying Bowl” series (a.k.a., square bowls). 

I work primarily with reclaimed timber—trees that have come down in storms, trees being taken down for construction, and the occasional piece of firewood.  Reclaimed timber is often filled with flaws of different kinds, such as cracks, bug holes, or voids.  Rather than try to remove the flaws, I try to accentuate them by making them the focal point of the piece, fill them with crushed stone, or carve them into other shapes.

I am a member of the American Association of Woodturners and am a firm believer in its mission to provide education and information to those interested in woodturning.  As such, I frequently demonstrate my craft.  I have demonstrated for many local woodturning clubs and have twice been a demonstrator at the American Association of Woodturners national symposium.  I was one of the featured lead demonstrators at the 2005 Southwest Association of Woodturners symposium. 

As of June 2008, I am a full time artist.  My work is in several central Texas galleries.  I also do a few art shows each year.  I have been married to my wife, Tina, for 24 years and we live just outside Austin.  If life wasn’t busy enough, I also sing with the Heart Of Texas barbershop chorus.