Turned & Carved: Woodworks by Rick Cannon

I have worked with wood most of my life. When I was young if something wooden in our home broke, we repaired it. This was done mostly out of necessity, but I remember using the tools and process.

When I discovered that woodworking was taught formally in the schools I took every advantage of the opportunity. I found that knowing how to use the tools and repair things was very useful. I also used the shop and tools to balance my working life. After a long shift in the refinery, it helped me relax. Arrowmont is where I refined my craft and received formal training on the lathe.

I’ve “evolved” into a sculptor, of sorts, with the process starting at the lathe. When the work, mostly wood, is removed I begin the process of carving and coloring it. I use most any tool that will do the job. I have found that sometimes the goal is simply to leave only enough material to create the piece. I still find a special satisfaction in working with the tools and material. I enjoy the challenge of taking a thought and then creating something resembling that thought that you can hold in your hand. This puts smile on my face. And after all, smiling is good.

Rick Cannon is based in Memphis, Tennessee.