About Jim Short
Wood has been essential to civilization. It’s utility and beauty still calls many of us. These pieces of tree were rescued on Whidbey Island and are a record of climate and time. As a carpenter, I’ve always hoarded wood & counted tree rings. I discovered the wood lathe in 2006. Wood-turning is highly addictive,  very immediate,  combining precision with many surprises. Forms are developed on the lathe from green wood, most are allowed to dry then returned to round and sanded. Some pieces are turned to a finished thickness, smoothed  with hand scrapers, and allowed to dry and distort. All finishes are food safe, usually some combination of shellac,  walnut oil and wax.  Most of my sales are functional bowls, however my interests tend toward the useless, cracked, wrinkled, and decayed.  The recent opportunity to carve the Orca for the Coupeville Whale Bell has sent me off into carving land. My goal is always to celebrate treeness.
Featured Work
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​This page shows representative works created by this artist. Some may be available for purchase.
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