Wood has always been part of my life. I was raised in a logging community in SW Oregon, learning about wood and the forest around me as I grew up. In the early 80’s I milled timbers for the construction of our home from trees that grew on our home site, northwest of Portland, OR.
 
In 2011, I began woodturning, deriving much satisfaction from making simple, elegant forms. My association with artists for over 40 years, first as a commercial photographer for 25 years, and later as a craftsman, instilled an ardent respect for form and quality, which I continually strive to achieve with my work.
 
As my work continues to evolve, I focus more on creating forms as a body for embellishment, reflecting my environmental experiences and love of nature. The evolution of each piece, as it begins to symbolize my conceptual image, continues to captivate me.

Jim Piper
Portland, Oregon