Art Medium: Woodturning/woodworking
How do you describe your art? I have a passion for transforming raw wood into a unique and visually appealing art piece, using a variety of techniques and tools. Many pieces are functional, such as custom cutting boards, bowls, charcuterie boards, utensils, coffee tables and dining tables, while others are sculptural pieces for display. Every piece is handmade and one-of-a- kind.
Have you always been interested in following a creative path? Yes! My parents are talented, creative types—my mom was a painter and my father was a carpenter. As a child I witnessed their love of artistic endeavors and the joy it brought them. I was encouraged to pursue a creative outlet of my own and chose wood, which I’ve been working with since middle school.
What does your day to day life look like? When I wake up, I go to my shop and consider the various stumps, burls, limbs and other pieces I’ve collected. Sometimes I’m inspired to make a certain thing that day, and choose a piece accordingly. I spend the majority of my day in the shop cutting, curving, sanding, polishing and waxing that piece.
Where do you get your creative inspiration? Relative to the art aspect of turning, the beauty of the wood itself is my greatest inspiration. Every tree, every grain is unique. It’s like opening up geodes and discovering something different every time. 
As far as techniques, woodturners are a generous lot. If they discover a new or better way to do something or a helpful tool, they willingly share it on YouTube or their websites. I learn useful tips from highly seasoned woodturners.
Why do you love what you do? Woodturning provides a creative outlet, which allows me to express myself through the art of shaping wood. I love the spontaneous nature of wood, and the process of getting to each piece’s finality. I love selecting wood to maximize the natural beauty of each wood piece. Woodworking teaches me patience because it requires me to concentrate on each cut and curve. It’s a wonderful opportunity for me to practice mindfulness, testing my ability to be present in the moment.
One thing most people don’t know about being an artist, in your opinion? Long before I make the first turn on the lathe, I allow each piece to dictate to me how it wants to be transformed. This transformation is rather like the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly! This often is the most time-consuming, but absolutely essential, step. 
It’s the art of woodturning—carefully consider the type and the natural design of the wood piece, the nature of the grain and its natural color. While you certainly need to know the basics of how to use woodturning tools and techniques, the creative process comes from within oneself.
Early bird or night owl? Early to bed, early to rise. 🙂
What was the last movie you watched? I love westerns, and will watch any movie or series with a western theme. The last one was “McClintock!” with John Wayne.
Glass half empty or half full? As an eternal optimist, the glass is always half-full!
What makes you happiest: Getting the sawdust flying! I term it “Human Glitter.” 🙂
Find JJ on Facebook under Van Parys Woodworking LLC.
