The craftsman
The whole collection is handmade in my home studio, close to the rolling slopes of the Flemish Ardennes. Every piece celebrates nature and life and seeks a lifelong connection with its owner.
Fine craftmanship is so much more than mass production. A thing of beauty is not born overnight. It takes hours of work, love, sweat and – yes sometimes – I shed a tear.
To create pieces with a unique touch I combine traditional woodturning with contemporary methods. Every piece finds its origin in a single piece of wood. This approach allows me to ensure the grain continuity and establish a direct visual connection with the tree from which it came.
In a world obsessed with speed, mass production and the throwaway, I choose to stand at the opposite end of the spectrum.
The process
Thanks to the highly valued connections I have with local foresters, arborists, and landowners, I’m able to source all the wood locally. I really do believe in healthy forestry and have the utmost respect for Mother Nature. The bigger part of the wood I use comes from fallen trees. I love to work with downed trees and give them a second life.
Most of the bowls are made in a process known as twice turned wood turning. I use the green wood (fresh and still wet) to turn a thick bowl and let it air dry for several months to a couple of years. During the drying process the bowls will distort, change shape, and are therefore weekly inspected on cracks and other defects. Once the bowls are completely dry, it is turned a second time into its final shape. After sanding, a food-safe oil is applied for immediate use.
