
I’ve been a hobbyist woodturner for over three decades. My passion lies in crafting both functional and aesthetically pleasing pieces. Each visit to my workshop is dedicated to both creating and advancing my skills.
Wood is more than just a material to me; it’s a canvas of nature’s artistry. I strive to enhance the inherent beauty of wood by working in harmony with Mother Nature. Sometimes, my creations even involve collaboration with natural elements like insects or fungi, resulting in layered and captivating works of art.
A significant portion of my work starts with rescued wood, salvaged from trees removed from yards to prevent them from ending up in landfills.
I have the privilege of being able to turn wood in my shop and studio in the beautiful town of Estes Park, Colorado.

My signature piece is something I call simply “Sliced Hollow Forms”. These are hollow vessels that I’ve sliced apart and reassembled with Pewa (butterfly patches).
Pewa (pronounced peh-vah, meaning fish tail) is the Hawaiian term for butterfly patches. I use this term because I learned the process of patching cracks from a couple of wood turners from Hawaii.
I do demonstrations and classes for woodturning clubs and symposiums, and also offer Interactive Remote Demonstration (IRD) via Zoom.
Amid the challenges of lockdowns in 2020, drawing upon my background as a software engineer, I seized the opportunity to adapt. Utilizing makeshift equipment, I conducted my first Interactive Remote Demo, and have subsequently delivered numerous sessions to clubs around the world..
Teaching and demonstrating are not just acts of sharing knowledge—they’re avenues for personal growth. Teaching is a reciprocal process, where I learn as much as I impart. Through contributions to the woodturning community, I find fulfillment in giving back to a community that has enriched my own journey.


Gallery
These are examples of some of my work. It is not a “product catalog”, and sometimes not very up to date. Many of these pieces are sold or unavailable. If there’s something that interests you, contact me at dave@dlwoodturning.com and we can see if the piece is available or if I have something similar that you’d like.
Three Balloons
Three hot air balloons. Balloons are Elm burl, baskets are Black Palm. Two of the balloons have African Blackwood caps. Suspended on magnets via a brass rod & brass tube. The balloons are about 6″ tall and around 3-1/4″ diameter.
Hollow Form
Elm Burl. About 7-3/4″ tall, 5-1/2″ diameter.
Kappa
Rocket Box “Kappa” ( my Rocket Box series is “numbered” with the Greek alphabet – this is #10). Kappa is maple burl with dyed maple fins and finials. The nose cone (lid) attaches with magnets. About 11-1/4″ tall with a 6″ “wing span”.
YAHF
Yet Another Hollow Form Elm Burl. About 6″ diameter, 3″ high.
Spiky Top
Hollow form with natural burl cap top. Elm burl. About 5.5″ diameter, 3″ high.
Hollow Form
Elm burl hollow form, About 6″ diameter, 3″ high.