Artist Richard C. Hines | Artist’s StatementArt Show Schedule & Gallery

artist



Richard C. Hines

Artist’s Statement


I am a self-taught wood turner. From the moment I started turning wood on a lathe and watched shavings peel off onto the shop floor, I was hooked. Using books, watching videos and attending demonstrations by seasoned turners, I soon became an accomplished wood turner.

Turning mostly native Virginia woods, I am always searching for unusual color and grain. I like to highlight characteristics in the wood that others might consider flaws. I work carefully with the wood, letting it dictate the form, but use my own design ideas and artistic skill to transform the inherent grain and texture of the wood into a finished work of art. Wasting as little wood as possible, the larger pieces are used for bowls and enclosed vessels; cutoffs are used for smaller projects such as ornaments, wine stoppers and miniatures. One-of-a-kind pieces are made to the highest quality possible. A Danish oil finish is used to bring out the beauty of the wood without sacrificing the natural texture. The piece is then polished with a triple-wax system to create subtle shine and add depth to the grain pattern.

Turning is both a passion and a challenge. Wood has a mind of its own – the end result may be very different from what was originally imagined.

I grew up on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. During the week my wife, Ruth, and I reside in the small town of Lanexa, 15 miles west of Williamsburg. Weekends are spent at our home on Lydia Mountain just outside of Stanardsville. Having recently retired after over 40 years in the telephone industry, I am now devoting all of my time to fine-tuning my craft.



Artist Richard C. Hines | E-Mail |
Artist’s StatementArt Show Schedule & Gallery