KNOTTY TURN

David Pfaltzgraff
Room 317
Woodworking

Working with wood has always provided a creative outlet for Dave. He started working with the lathe in his early teens. About 20 years ago a friend introduced him to working with green, meaning not yet completely dried, wood as well as spalted wood. Both of these present various challenges. Green wood, although easy to work, will warp as it dries. This causes the bowls to warp according to their own grain. Spalted wood has some level of decay formed by molds and mildews entering the grain after it is cut. The spalting always presents interesting coloring, but at the same time may weaken the wood. Because of these characteristics, Dave lets the wood speak to him as he works. The end product reflects the internal beauty of the raw wood.

Many pieces for bowls come from folks that Dave has met and thus their background may be of interest. Bowls on display come from a friend in Maryland, his brother's farm in Iowa, and two acquaintances in this area.

Dave also makes pens, various toys, and almost anything in wood. His newer ventures are in CNC wood carving.