Turners Malcolm Tibbetts The most incredible segmented turnings I have ever seen. Malcolm is also author of a fantastic book on how to make things like he does. Art Liestman This Canadian turner has become famous internationally for his wonderful surface enhancment. Check out his Puzzling Illusion vessels. Also look at his incredible new sculptural forms, such as "Dancing Pair". Bill Luce Bill Luce explores the "quiet power of understated form". He strives for unity and harmony in his pieces, and produces incredibly beautiful work. Andi Wolfe Andi is a biologist who has combined her love of nature and woodturning. She enhances the surface of her work, combining turning, pyrography colouring and carving to create works that are so wonderful they are in a dimension by themselves. Check out Dylan's Song, the piece on the intro to her website. Garry Bowes Garry produces incredible sculptural pieces, that really capture motion and feeling. He also produces wonderfully carved and decorated vases and bowls, showing an astounding amount of imagination and skill. He has also perfected a technique to produce what he calls "woodlace", delicately pierced pieces using a die grinder and special jigs. Carole Valentine Carole specializes in vases, but also does bowls and platters. She has a fantastic eye for form. Organizations The American Association of Woodturners This is the largest association of woodturners in the world, with chapters not only in the United States, but also in Canada and other countries. There is a wealth of resources available through this site. The association holds a symposium every year that is a "must" pilgrimage for every woodturner. The Wood Turning Centre A Philadelphia-based not-for-profit arts institution, gallery and resource center, dedicated to the art and craft of lathe-turned objects Valley Woodturners This is the wood turning club in the Ottawa Valley and is my home club. Supplies Thompson Lathe Tools Doug Thompson is currently making the best tools for wood turning, bar none. I now use them exclusively. He uses the same steel that Gerry Glaser used. (Gerry is famous in wood turning circles, not only for developing tools, but also for making the best tools available. He has now retired.) Doug uses the same steel that Gerry used -- V10. It is very hard, so it holds an edge longer than any other turning tools, yet is resilient, so it does not chip or break. It is also easy to sharpen. Doug has also improved the tools beyond what Gerry was able to do, because he cryo treats them. The freezing (down to almost -300 degrees) changes the molecular structure and makes them even better for wood turning. Even better is the price. Doug has kept the price very reasonable. In fact, his tools often cost roughly half what the less effective tools on the market cost. So there is no excuse any more for working with poor tools.