The wood turnings that I make are designed to emphasize the forms that nature put into the wood.  More often than not, when I start cutting into a fresh piece of wood, I will not have a definite plan for the finished product.  Rather, the design unfolds as the work progresses.  I prefer working with local northwest hardwoods because that provides the opportunity to start the “unfolding” with the wood as it comes from the tree rather than having a lumber mill dictate the shape and the initial cuts.  Sometimes when a particularly interesting piece of wood becomes available, I will use hand carving techniques to develop the shapes in a more flexible way than the turning lathe permits.  In either case the luster and feel of the final finish forms a major element of the appeal of the wood.