Jim Degen

I have always enjoyed working with wood, from model building in my youth to home carpentry and small furniture projects.  After retiring from corporate life I took a class in woodturning with Beth Ireland at the Brookfield Craft Center.  That class changed my perspective and plans for woodworking from making furniture to focusing on woodturning .  Many classes followed: Andy Barnum, Angelo Iafrate, Richard Raffan, Stuart Mortimer, Lyle Jamison, Michael Hoseluk, Bob Rosand, Binh Pho and countless demonstrations at various symposiums.

I began teaching at Brookfield in January, 2004, in the old wood shop (with non-level floor, lathes on wheels, inadequate tools).  I had the opportunity to be part of the setting up of the current turning center in the spring of 2004 and still have a sense of ownership of the place having made all of the tool racks, towel holders, floor pallets, and task- lighting fixtures.  In mid-May of that year we moved in and I finished teaching the last two weeks of a four week class in the new facility.  Eighteen years later I still enjoy teaching and find that I keep learning from my students when I need to give a real answer to a question rather than simply “because that’s the way we do it”.

Wood is a fascinating material to work with and turning allows the artist the opportunity to display the beauty of the wood to its full potential.  Every piece is a journey of discovery as the inside of a chunk of wood is often very different from the visible outside surfaces.  I usually have a general shape or form in mind when I start a piece, however, as the work progresses nature intervenes and the wood itself tells me how to proceed.  Defects become opportunities to be celebrated or high-lighted. Occasionally I deviate from the gentle curves and form of nature with straight lines and the addition of surface enhancements like carving, piercing, inlaying and the judicious use of color, but not to excess.

 I like to let the wood work for itself.

Jim Degen

Lost Loon Wood Works