Our demonstrator for the Saturday, June 21, 2003 meeting will be Mike Lee from Hawaii. Known primarily for his carved vessel forms, Mike has been included in several major woodturning and art exhibits and has received numerous awards. His work is in many private collections around the world and has been featured in several woodturning publications. In addition his work is in the permanent collections of the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, the State Foundation of Culture and the Arts, The Detroit Institute of Art and is on loan to the Arts in the Embassies program in Brussels Belgium. He has been a featured demonstrator at several national and international symposiums and has taught at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts.

The demonstration will include:

1. Patching and repairing a cracked Hawaiian calabash bowl- The history and significance of the Hawaiian calabash bowl and how to repair a crack using a butterfly patch.
2. Small Pots- Basic Bowl Turning: Techniques in laying out and roughing a bowl blank. Positioning the bowl blank. Demo will include sanding and finishing techniques.
3. Multiple Axis- using the lathe as a carving tool for off center work. Laying out and designing a piece turned on three different axis.
4. Carving and Texturing- Techniques in carving and texturing off the lathe. Demo will discuss use of burs and power carvers to carve a piece after it has been turned.

• Proper tool control using the side-ground bowl gouge.
• Sharpening techniques.
• Sheer scraping.
• Design considerations and inspirations.

Artist's Statement: "My work begins first with a mental image. That image is then transformed to the physical reality through a combination of curves, surfaces, textures and a sense of surrealism. By building on different layers of surface treatments, I strive to emphasize not just the obvious visual representation, but the underlying complexities of the piece that can only be fully realized through its tactile qualities. My hope is that the piece will speak through its own visual and tactile language."

Michael Lee was born and raised on the island of Oahu. He is a self-employed studio artist, specializing in production pieces as well as one of a kind sculptural vessels.

Michael's first lathe was bought on a whim. Feeling a need for a hobby, he bought his first lathe for under $300 without even knowing what the machine was called. With a book and a set of tools, he proceeded to teach himself the fine art of "bludgeoning" wood. After five years, a new lathe and a library of books, he became good enough to sell his work and decided to turn his hobby into a lifestyle. In the years from 1990 to 1993, he traveled to Tennessee to get formal training in woodturning as an art form at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. It was at Arrowmont where he studied under some of the best woodturners in the world. Michael knew after taking classes at Arrowmont that his work would never again be the same.

Michael's current work focuses on carved pieces with an emphasis on breathing life into the work through gesture and movement. Much of Michael's inspiration is derived through nature as a source for texture, form and motion. He wants his pieces to have a life of their own. His work evolves as he constantly explores new forms and sources for design and texture.

Michael enjoys the freedom of being self-employed. He feels it is more of a lifestyle than just a job. Being able to pick up his surfboard and go surfing when he wants or riding his dirt bike in the mountains helps to keep his energy level high and his mind open when it's time for work in the studio. He feels that self-expression through his art and play is the perfect balance to being creative.

Michael's work is in the permanent collections of The State Foundation of Culture and the Arts, The Contemporary Museum, The Detroit Institute of Arts and The Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts as well as numerous private collections around the world. He has been a featured demonstrator at several National woodturning symposiums and has taught at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. He has exhibited work at National and International juried shows.