Ken Austin

Woodworker

"I work in two contrasting methods and styles...When carving or turning bowls from burls and limb-scarred wood, the often irregular shapes determine the character of the finished piece. Accordingly, I remove the interior vessel, finishing the surface to a silky feel that contrasts with the rough exterior. I use only salvaged or found wood.

When building tables and other furniture, I first make sketches based upon function and then the form follows. I choose my materials from local woods, many harvested from my land and I often salvage smaller pieces left over from previous projects. Nothing is wasted."