The Artist
Artist Statement
Artist Statement
My love for woodturning was first ignited in 1962. As a young Michigan student, I turned two black walnut bowls on a wood lathe in my high school shop class. There and then I promised myself I would get back to woodturning… once I got my life, work, and family under way. It took forty one years to keep that promise to myself.
In 2003, after retiring from The Dow Chemical (Michigan) and moving to the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains of Zirconia, North Carolina, I took a woodturning class, bought a Powermatic 3520a wood lathe, and a 17-inch Grizzly band saw and started turning wood. As my expertise grew, so did the size of my pieces and the enthusiasm I felt when bringing into focus the unique features locked within each piece of wood. That has become the focus of my work; creating a one of a kind piece that spotlights the unique character found within the wood…wood that grows all around me here in the mountains. Another aspect of the woodturning process that I find exciting is ‘the hunt!’ I love working with local green wood and spend lots of time traveling country roads in search of unusual trees that have fallen during a storm or felled by disease. Often, trees under stress develop internal patterns or ‘markings’ in their grain that can be the focus of the art piece I am creating. My earlier hobby of collecting antique glassware has helped develop my understanding of shapes and forms that best please the eye. This training has served me well in developing the sensuous curves that are the basis for all of my pieces. It is a thrill watching a piece of wood come to life as the beauty in the grain is uncovered and showcased by the shape or form I have created. Signed, Gary Bills
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I grew up in rural central Michigan. When I was in high school in 1962, I turned two bowls on a wood lathe in shop class. I have always wanted to turn more bowls. When I retired I moved to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina from Michigan. In 2003 I took a woodturning class, bought a Powermatic 3520A wood lathe, and a 17-inch Grizzly band saw and started turning wood. I spent many hours studying and learning the art of woodturning. My first pieces were small bowls. Then I worked on larger bowls and hollow forms (vases). I currently turn on a 2436 Oneway lathe.
My experience collecting glassware for many years has helped me develop pleasing shapes and forms.
- American Association of Woodturners, Past Member, Professional Outreach Program
- Southern Highland Craft Guild, Member
- Carolina Mountain Woodturners, Past Member, Board of Directors, Mentor
- Past Member Apple Country Woodcrafters, Mentor
- North Carolina Symposium of the American Ass. of Woodturners 2007, Board of Directors
Education:
- Central Michigan University: Bachelor of Science
- I have attended hands on classes at John C. Campbell Folk Art School, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, and Carolina Mountain Woodturners Classes with many great woodturners including: David Ellsworth, Mike Mahoney, Stuart Batty, Alan Stirt, John Jordan, Stuart Mortimer, Jean-Francois Escoulen, Jimmy Cleaws, Graeme Priddle, Chris Ramsey, Alan Hollar and Alan Leland. I have also attended many State and National woodturning symposiums, demonstrations, and functions.
- 2004 North Carolina Woodturning Show and Competition: Best of Show, 1st Place, 2nd Place
- 2005 North Carolina Woodturning Show and Competition: 1st Place
- 4 Seasons Silver Arts: 2006 2nd Place
- 4 Seasons Silver Arts: 2007 1st Place
- 4 Seasons Silver Arts: 2008 1st Place and 2nd Place
- Henderson County Arts Council: Bring Us Your Best 2006: 2nd Place
- Henderson County Arts Council: Bring Us Your Best 2008: 1st Place
I grew up in rural central Michigan. When I was in high school in 1962, I turned two bowls on a wood lathe in shop class. I have always wanted to turn more bowls. When I retired I moved to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina from Michigan. In 2003 I took a woodturning class, bought a Powermatic 3520A wood lathe, and a 17-inch Grizzly band saw and started turning wood. I spent many hours studying and learning the art of woodturning. My first pieces were small bowls. Then I worked on larger bowls and hollow forms (vases). I currently turn on a 2436 Oneway lathe.
My experience collecting glassware for many years has helped me develop pleasing shapes and forms.