Even though "art" or "artist" is a new way for me to look at myself which makes me uncomfortable, I do enjoy the creative process and watching other people get great joy from my art.  

Who is Michael Skiba?

Woodworking has allowed me to create things, beautiful things, from a simple medium, wood.  I never intended to become an "artist".  I was just having some fun.  Next thing you know people are telling me I should sell my stuff.  Years later, bowls, platters and miscellaneous turnings turned (pun intended) into art.  

When I am working in my shop, it's just me, my music, the wood, the lathe and the tool in my hand.  When I started I let the wood inspire the shape of the turning, now I pick the wood to fit the vision in my mind.

I harvest, transport and process most all my own wood before I finally get it on the lathe.  I work with both "wet" and dry wood.  When you work this way there is no guarantee it won't crack or warp.  When the wood cracks it isn't broken.  Each small imperfection is actually a unique "perfection".  The wood is just like us-flawed but still beautiful in it's own way.  

One of the most profound and humbling experiences of my life was visiting Sequoia National Forest and the coastal Redwood forests in California.  It's hard to grasp the size of these trees until you stand next to one and look up or see one above and through other trees.

I'm a member of Front Range Woodturners. With out the people, teaching demonstrations and resources of the club, I would not be where I am today. I'm also a member of the AAW - American Association of Woodturners.