Chuck Driscoll Artist Gallery
During the initial stages of bowl turning, I studied the potters to learn what they had to say about form and design. Clay offers the advantage of pliability that allows great range and variation of expression by the artist. In the hands of a potter, clay becomes transformed through the creative process. I became intrigued with this concept of creativity and how it could be applied using wood on the lathe and traditional hand tools.
As I began turning bowls, it was quite apparent that wood lacks the qualities of clay that allows such flexibility. However, I soon learned that the same creative process along with its many challenges also existed. For me, the wood turner, being able to conceive of and to see the bowl within the wood became a great source of satisfaction.
Rendering that vision with lathe and hand tools became the challenge. This process of creating finished bowls established a frame of mind that transcended any sense of time place and of self. I became integral to the creative process one bowl at a time.
As time passed, there came a heightened sense of awareness that the wood itself was inspiring. It had once lived and had a story to tell its size, color, texture, grain . . . its composition was all a part of its history.
I began to look at my own trees much differently. Questions of sustainability where harvesting practices are concerned became an issue for me. Using windfalls, harvesting dying or dead trees seemed to make a great deal of sense. Leaving healthy and vital trees to establish future generations of growth have become part of the creative process in both terms of bowl making and managing the wood lot.
Finally, like the trees themselves, I realize I too am in a state of becoming growing and developing the bowls or any other results of the creative process are intended for the something and enjoyment of people by offering my bowls to the public. I am pleased to hear their feedback and to see what people enjoy the end result of this creative process.
