design philosophy | materials and finishes | exhibitions | about the artist

Materials and Finishes

I use both domestic and tropical hardwoods. When the design calls for the color or figure of a species that is relatively scarce, I try to locate suppliers who will certify that their timber comes from a sustainable source. Fortunately, there appears to be a move toward responsible certification of timber sources.

I prefer simple finishes, such as oil, wax or shellac. Clients may, however, specify any finish they wish. Because of environmental considerations, I use an outside finishing firm for all sprayed finishes, and this adds to the cost of the completed object.

Many of my pieces are embellished with elements of stained glass, bronze castings, anodized aluminum, gold leaf or caning as the design may require. I like color and often employ dyes, stains and paint to achieve a dramatic effect.