Trained as a traditional furniture maker at North Bennet Street School in Boston's North End, I have built and repaired furniture and taught woodworking to all ages from kindergarten to elder-hostel. While I have strayed from my period furniture beginnings, I still use many of the same techniques in my work. I am currently working with salvaged tree branches, local hardwoods and other found or recycled materials which I assemble into wall art and functional items. I build dovetailed boxes or shelves, and insert branches through the sides so they seem to be growing through the box. I also make little houses using the bark that I have removed from firewood. These Tiny Tree Houses have a hinged door with a tiny carved doorknob. When my workshop is too cold during the winter months I make puppets, mittens, bags and hats using wool from worn out apparel, which is taken apart and felted. I have also recently started watercolor painting with a local artist friend. There are so many opportunities for artists to re-use discarded, damaged or worn out materials. Finding a new use for something that has been thrown away is always an adventure. I am always on the lookout for interesting branches, bark, wood, and moth eaten sweaters. Investigating brush and firewood piles on the side of the road is a favorite hobby. If the bark falls off your firewood or if you are doing some pruning and see some interesting branches, let me know.
