Turning freshly cut wood causes it to warp as it dries, preventing splitting. The thinner and more uniform the work, the more pronounced this organic shifting becomes. I surrender full control over the final form, allowing the wood to make its own structural decisions. This collaboration ensures that every piece is unique, a quality I have sought from the very beginning of my practice.

All the trees I use are sourced locally from the surroundings of my home. I never fell them intentionally: they are only collected when fallen or diseased, ensuring nothing is wasted, from the trunk to the roots. I even harvest the bark for basketry. Chestnut remains my primary medium, which I value for its versatility across multiple techniques.

I found it gradually, through contact with other woodturners. What struck me about this community is that everyone shares their techniques. This environment allowed me to develop my skills rapidly and exhibit my work early in my practice. It also helped me find my true creative identity, in the black palette and the interplay between solid form and empty space.