Ken Grunke, Wisconsin Woodturner, started woodturning in 1987 and now operates his studio in an old school building in the southwest Wisconsin village of West Lima. Woodturning is the art of shaping wood on a lathe. Using Wisconsin native woods, Ken handcrafts mostly "natural edge" bowls, but he also creates wood boxes, vases, and other unique works of art. The first step in the process of woodturning is shaping the bowl from a chunk of unseasoned wood. Next, as the bowl dries, it deforms slightly into an oval shape. Once dried, it is sanded and coated with a lacquer or oil finish. Each bowl is a unique creation particularly enhanced by the "natural edge" design. The process Ken uses highlights the colors and grains in the wood.
For Ken, his craft is a labor of love. He has always been fascinated with wood and its beauty. According to Ken, every piece of wood he brings into his studio "is an exciting adventure for me, as I attempt to unlock nature's hidden tapestries within the wood." We are sure you will agree that he has done just that!