It wasn’t long ago that many people had workshops in their homes or garages. When things broke, you fixed them.
By the age of 10, Kevin Poest was using the workshop’s table saw while his grandpa made repairs on the family furniture. One day Kevin brought home a to use the lathe. That old chair was never repaired because little Kevin became inspired.
That chair leg became his first real piece of art and he never quit. Today by his backyard studio sit piles of materials garnered from wood millers, arborists or neighbors.
“When I hear a chainsaw I start walking toward the sound.” With a little effort and friendly neighbors, his material is free.
“I started with wood pallets. Once you cut and sand them, they are great pieces of wood.” His driveway stores his loot of street tree segments and burls waiting to be pulled into his workshop.
Kevin enjoys creating utilitarian pieces, including plates and bowls that show off the natural grain patterns while highlighting the irregular voids and edges of the natural medium. He is just as adept at making spindles and balustrades for historic homes, but the urns he makes for people’s loved ones are his favorite.
“It honors my work.”
Visit PoestsWood.com or @poestswood to donate wood or purchase his work.