Word from the Wood….

…is that deep within each tree are stories waiting to be told, poems craving speech, wisdoms willing to be given form.

Since 1980, I have wanted to carve words in wood. Inspired by the great Martin Wenham, I ached to work with timber in ways that explored its beauty and helped the on-looker reflect on the beauty of words and wood.

But in 1980, I began my career with Steinways piano makers, in Hamburg, Germany. I had no time to even think about carving – making pianos is partly about joining timber, not carving it – and my speciality was in the voicing and regulating departments; I also was the factory representative service engineer, touring around Europe.

Although I did make a high bed (a bed on a platform) for a friend, including a ladder with the words SIC ITUR AD ASTRA (Thus We Rise To The Stars) carved in the rungs. That was fun.

Later, I trained in the Healing Arts and spent many years also working with plants (and trees!) as medicine. This gave me the privilege of witnessing the human relationship with the natural world. Plants (and trees!) are beautiful guides, if we listen.

Around the turn of the millenium, I began my career in storytelling. I had always been a musician, but now words – telling words, speaking poems – came into my life more.

So, it’s only taken around 4 decades for me to make room for words to meet wood through my hands! I love this deep connection with some of life’s great provision: wood.