JEAN LeGWIN
Woodworker

For any artist or craftsperson , wood is an extraordinary material. It can be transformed into utilitarian objects or purely artistic ones. It can be boldly figured or provide a plain canvas for many types of embellishment. Each piece of wood is unique—there will never be another exactly like it, ever.

I fell in love with wood early in life when I began whittling as a child. Since retiring from a career in publishing, I have discovered the endless possibilities of working on a lathe, and transforming lathe-turned objects using additional techniques such as dyeing, woodburning, texturing, and metal leaf.

Generally I work with locally sourced hardwoods that would otherwise end up in a landfill or be ground into mulch. Occasionally I use exotics that are sourced from responsible importers who utilize sustainable practices. Wherever it’s from, I love the challenge of bringing out the special qualities of each piece.