John Douglas

About John.

John has had a working lifetime in engineering at a very high level. On retirement and freed from  the constraints of a profession that requires order and precision. He decided to explore the art and craft of wood turning. Relearning a skill last used over 50 years ago in school. He quickly became very proficient. With technique progressing  John went in hot pursuit of form, concentrating on shape and surface. Often without concern for function, or even the illusion of function. This is what John says.

Bronwyn Jarvis RA

I enjoy making items  in both wood and metal. I love the intimacy that you can develop with a piece. Turning an old log into something of beauty  is the challenge all woodworkers enjoy. 
I love to explore techniques that innovate and push boundaries. I like to explore the artistic. Engineering is all about accuracy and order. I am trying to train my brain away from that and explore the fluidity of nature.  Taking inspiration from the world around me I like to make the unusual. Some pieces just work. Some languish on the workshop shelf, waiting for a fresh look .
I use science to explore techniques that can be applied to my craft. Electricity and Chemistry sciences can be seen in my gallery works from time to time. There's a lot of fun in electrocuting a piece of timber to create a fractal burn pattern. Or inlaying with hot metal or minerals.

Please drop in to this website or view my pieces of work. Some deemed worthy of inclusion at leading galleries. Others, available on-line.

 I try to use wood which many would consider un-useable. I recover from fields and woodland floors, from salvage yards and sites approved by the Woodlands Trust.

I am a co- founder of the SharedWorks Community Workshop, an active member of West Riding Woodturners and The Association of Woodturners of Great Britain.

If you are interested in anything I do Please visit exhibition pages  or visit the online shop. I'm always happy to chat, so feel free to email me , if you wish.