I am a self-taught woodturner living in Honolulu, Hawai‘i.  My home, and shop, are on the southeast tip of the island of O‘ahu, near Koko Crater. The area is known as Hawai‘i Kai.

 

In 1990, I began turning bowls from local Hawaiian woods

oil finish.  Each bowl has multiple coats of oil, depending upon the density of the wood. 

 

The pieces are polished using Tripoli and White Diamond.  Finally a coat of carnauba wax is applied and buffed.

Turning on Vicmarc VL 200 Lathe

Tom Young

I am a member of The American Association of Woodturners and a charter member of the Honolulu Woodturners Club.

While some of the pieces may also be useful, they are made as a visual and tactile art form.  They are things to admire on a shelf, on the table, or in a collection.  They are things to be picked up and caressed.

Rough-Turned Bowls in Various Stages of Drying

My bowls are generally about 1/8 inch thick.  The larger the diameter of the bowl, the thicker the walls will be.  The piece is finely sanded through at least 600 grit. 

 

The bowls have a Danish type

and selected other species. 

 

Turning, particularly bowls, quickly became a passion.

 

I consider my pieces artistic woodturnings as opposed to utilitarian.  They are thin,

consistent throughout, and finely finished.  The shape typically flows without any abrupt changes in the curve.

Puna