Don Stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
Artist’s Statement

My late father started my appreciation for wood and gave me the confidence to do things myself.  I still have the roll-top oak desk he made for me many years ago.  I fondly remember helping him build a grandfather clock and other projects and as well as remodeling our house.  I was one of those guys that took all the shop classes in high school and spent a lot of my youth summers working on wood projects and refinishing antiques.  Then, of course, in my college and early adult years, my time was consumed with making money, going to school and . . . er, ah . . . socializing.

Eventually, I settled down, got married and built my wife a house (well, not all of it).  And, oh yeah, she helped.  My return to woodworking was mainly things for the house (shelves, cabinets, etc.) and toys for the kids.  Over the years, I collected wood working tools, mostly smaller versions that were easy to store.  Then my wife volunteered my services in building a display case for our local elementary school.  I was able to convince my wife that I absolutely, positively needed a new table saw to fulfill the commitment she made.  That started my foray into accumulating full-size power tools.

Then I stumbled upon what may be my greatest joy in woodworking.  I recalled one of my favorite activities in HS wood shop, lathe work.  So, I bought an inexpensive but sturdy lathe.  About the same time, I found exotic woods.  Did you know you could get woods that are naturally almost any color and very interestingly varied in colors?  With my small little lathe and chunks of wood picked up here and there, I practiced and became halfway decent at woodturning.  As I turned and turned and pushed the limit of my craft, I very quickly outgrew my modest lathe.  I purchased a new lathe that should last the rest of my life.  My wife calls it my midlife crisis; I call it an investment in my retirement.  I know for sure that Tim Allen would be proud, oo, oo, oo ,oo, oo.

Price Range $20 - $160
© 2010 Benevolent Acorn
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All artwork featured on this page by Don Stock © 2008