I first experienced the wonder of woodturning at age 15 during junior year at boarding school. I learned watching the weathered hands of the shop teacher who had instructed my father 30 years prior. Palmer Sharpless was a well respected woodturner and teacher, and I was enamored with woodturning immediately.

Over the next 40 years I would find access to a lathe for only a 3 year stretch in the early 2000's.

Twenty years later, 12 years after moving to Mammoth, I struck up a conversation with John Rea, a local sawmill owner and craftsman. After a few conversations, we decided I would build a shop on his land. He’d supply the lumber and I’d supply the muscle and time. Over the course of 6 months, on what days I could afford, I learned the art of carpentry building a 10' x 12' shop overlooking Mono Lake.

After installing the solar and flipping the switch, my love of woodturning was ignited once again.

I own Ground Up Climbing Guides in Mammoth Lakes and support the vibrant arts community here on the Eastside.