Dale Larson

wood | gresham, oregon

I am a bowl turner. Turning wooden bowls brings balance to my life.

I turn bowls from local northwest trees. This gives me a direct connection to the trees growing around me. Most of my wood comes from trees that have been taken down for development or were sick and had to be removed.

A few years ago I turned a number of bowls from the cherry tree that died behind the Contemporary Crafts Gallery [now Museum of Contemporary Craft]. I rarely cut down a live tree. Most of these trees would end up as firewood or pulp. I feel good about putting the tree to a “higher use.”

When I get a tree I cut a bowl blank out the wood and turn a bowl to the rough shape I want. I then let the bowl blank dry over a period of a year or two. When the blank is dry I put it back on the lathe and finish turning the bowl.

My bowls are meant to be used and enjoyed. My goal is to turn the prettiest bowls, not the most bowls. It gives me a great deal of pride that people buy something I made with my hands.

gallery feature

Around the Center: Dale Larson, William Moore, Greg WIlbur
June 2 – July 2, 2011
First Wednesday Artist Reception: June 1, 6–8pm