Lorne turned his first bowl more than 40 years ago, but it was the late 1980's before he became seriously interested in woodturning. Lorne is mostly self-taught, however, he has attended workshops/seminars on woodturning and attended various art classes that have helped him to refine design ideas and skills.
In 1993, he decided he would have to sell his woodturnings and joined the Newfoundland and Labrador Craft Development Association thus embarking on a new career as a woodturner. This second career became full-time in early 1996.
From the local forests comes native birch and juniper (Eastern Larch) which become functional pieces like salad bowls. When turning functional pieces Lorne doesn't look to impose a shape, but to uncover one that reflects and interacts with the natural fractal harmony between heartwood and sapwood.
Burls obtained through out the Maritimes, in which he finds unusual color or grain, are turned into sculptural pieces. The use of natural color, grain, and voids in these burls, while still achieving an artistic design through balanced proportion and delicate shape, is Lorne's biggest challenge. To this end, Lorne feels that an attractive design is more important than size. These same qualities in wood will dictate that each piece is unique though it may have similar shape and size to others. Altered shapes, carvings, and the use of bark and voids also provide him with an artistic freedom of expression and he is constantly looking for wood that he visualizes would lead to a pleasing or unusual design. Sometimes, Lorne will have a particular piece of wood in his studio 2-3 years before they come to terms with each other. At other times, the process is much more immediate. Either way, one must always be aware of hidden nuances along the way.
Pens, pencils and jewelry are turned from exotic woods obtained around the world.
The majority of his designs are simple forms that seek to compliment and accentuate Nature's inherent beauty through objects that have a strong tactile and aesthetic appeal, though lately has begun to experiment with added elements (carving, color, bleaching and texturization).
He creates his pieces at his studio in Greely, Ontario, Canada. He is a juried member of the Nova Scotia Designer Craft Council. Member of the Ontario Craft Council, Alberta Craft Council, American Association of Woodturners and past president of the Avalon Woodturners Guild.
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