Meet the Artist

Rod Litherland

I started turning while still at school on my father’s lathe, and at that stage I was feeling my way making mainly simple bowls. I eventually inherited the lathe but a demanding career as a television cameraman, and later a lighting director, left only a little time for turning.

Over the past few years I have had more time and directed my creative energies towards turning wood. I have been able to develop my skills by taking courses, and also by meeting other turners through membership of the association of woodturners Great Britain, Kent Branch.

I like to stretch myself by making a variety of different objects. I have recently become interested in hollow forms, which are purely decorative and in which the shape and form is paramount. The removal of wood from the interior through a small hole provides quite a challenge. I prefer to use native European woods, and look for samples with interesting grain patterns or “faults) that may enhance the finished piece.