TIM KRAVATZ
WOODTURNER
From his early days as a cabinet maker, Tim’s took a more lucrative career course through plumbing, pipefitting, welding and ultimately to Carpenter Technologies, where he is now a Factory Planner Scheduler overseeing plant support system services.
But he never lost his passion for fine wood working, which was reignited in 2014 when he picked up a used wood lathe on Craigslist. The precision and planning of his pipefitting expertise merged with a deep reverence for the intrinsic beauty of natural wood, and woodturning became a driving creative force in his life.
There is a unique quality to each hollow form, bowl, plate and bracelet created by Tim, who is also vice president of Keystone Woodturners. He achieves this by approaching each new creation as a dance. And he likes to let the wood take the lead.
“I don’t start with a rigid vision of the completed form,” Tim explains. “As I work with a piece of wood, I look to discover and follow its intrinsic natural characteristics. The grain, coloration, texture and natural edges guide me to bringing out the unique aesthetics of that piece of wood to life.”
His natural approach extends to the finishing. All of his bowls and hollow forms are finished with natural, renewable oils, free from toxins, solvents, heavy metal dryers and other harmful chemicals. Even nut oils. His creations are safe for food or skin contact.
The results are beautiful creations that invite people to pick them up for a closer look. Some artists are hesitant to let people handle their work. Tim likes it.
“I encourage people to pick it up, look at it from every angle, feel the curves and textures, smell the aroma of the natural wood and oil finish,” Tim says. “Join the dance.”
But he never lost his passion for fine wood working, which was reignited in 2014 when he picked up a used wood lathe on Craigslist. The precision and planning of his pipefitting expertise merged with a deep reverence for the intrinsic beauty of natural wood, and woodturning became a driving creative force in his life.
There is a unique quality to each hollow form, bowl, plate and bracelet created by Tim, who is also vice president of Keystone Woodturners. He achieves this by approaching each new creation as a dance. And he likes to let the wood take the lead.
“I don’t start with a rigid vision of the completed form,” Tim explains. “As I work with a piece of wood, I look to discover and follow its intrinsic natural characteristics. The grain, coloration, texture and natural edges guide me to bringing out the unique aesthetics of that piece of wood to life.”
His natural approach extends to the finishing. All of his bowls and hollow forms are finished with natural, renewable oils, free from toxins, solvents, heavy metal dryers and other harmful chemicals. Even nut oils. His creations are safe for food or skin contact.
The results are beautiful creations that invite people to pick them up for a closer look. Some artists are hesitant to let people handle their work. Tim likes it.
“I encourage people to pick it up, look at it from every angle, feel the curves and textures, smell the aroma of the natural wood and oil finish,” Tim says. “Join the dance.”
