| Using the wood lathe,
Robbins creates artistic and functional pieces mostly
from local trees that have fallen or have been cut
by tree surgeons. He seeks out wood with character
such as large cracks, insect damage and bark
inclusions, and incorporates them into the design
whenever possible. “At an early age, I was exposed
to working with wood in my father's workshop. I would
ride with him to the sawmill
where we watched logs being sawed into lumber, some
of which he brought back to the workshop to be made
into furniture and grandfather clocks,” he said. "About
the age of 12, I would sneak into the shop and use
the wood lathe to make baseball bats that we used
in neighborhood ball games. It wasn't until I was
in 8th grade shop class that I turned my first bowl,
and I have been hooked on spinning wood ever since.”
“Living on an organic farm for the
last decade, I have learned to work with nature, not
against it, and I apply this principle to the wood
while I am turning. Many times the wood has final
say in what shape it will become.”
Robbins draws his inspiration from
his surroundings, and tries to keep his work very
natural. Harvesting the wood to be used, roughing
it out, drying, and completing the piece may take
a year or more.
“I see firewood differently now.
Usually nature has already made the perfect bowl;
I just have to find it. I strive to give my work ‘life’
by creating smooth flowing lines contrasted with texture
and carved elements.” |
