Turned Creations

Allan Cusworth, Woodturner

Artisan’s Statement & Biography

Allan came to Canada as a young boy, from England. He spent his childhood years near Cobourg, Ontario growing up with his family in a small community. After graduating he has spent most of his life in the Purchasing profession in Ontario until he and his family moved to British Columbia in 1994 to work in Purchasing for the pulp & paper chemical, shipbuilding, and cement industries, until his retirement. He has played Country music semi-professionally in Ontario and BC with his wife Natalia. Allan has spent a lot of time involved with the Toastmasters organization and has achieved the level of Distinguished Toastmaster.

Allan got his first taste of woodturning in high school in Cobourg, Ontario. The Industrial Arts Shop was his home room class in Grade 10. It was Mr. Morrison who was his initial shop teacher, but it was not until many years after graduating, becoming gainfully employed, and getting married to Natalia, that Allan bought his first lathe. It was the Rockwell Beaver machine which he still uses today. He went back to night-school to renew the principles he learned from Mr. Morrison and made a few lamps, trays and bowls as a hobby turner. Job pressures took Allan away from woodturning for a few years but he still kept the lathe in a corner of the basement hoping someday to get back to woodturning.

It was not until after moving to British Columbia that Allan took a renewed interest in the craft. He met some turners demonstrating at a local wood show a few years ago and was invited to attend a woodturners’ guild meeting. He was “hooked” again. He currently belongs to the Fraser Valley Woodturners Guild, the Greater Vancouver Woodturners Guild, and the American Association of Woodturners.

Allan has studied his craft with a number of world class turners at seminars, demonstrations, and symposiums. He is recognized for his engraved pens, and bowls, as well as his unique vessels, platters and hollow forms. He likes a shiny finish and therefore takes specific interest in fine buffing. He also creates some specialized items such as goblets with interlocked captive rings turned on the stem, for weddings, anniversaries and other special occasions. His goal is to make each piece of work unique by embellishing wood grain patterns, and natural wood coloration.

His bowls and platters are generally finished with food-safe materials, and are meant to be used, although many become display pieces when purchased by his international customers. If a vessel is to be used, he suggests that it be hand washed with warm water and mild soap, wiped off, and then left to air dry. It should not be soaked, put in a dishwasher, or into a microwave oven. With proper care these vessels will last for generations. A displayed piece should be kept away from moisture and direct sunlight to preserve the natural beauty of the wood.

Allan has written a number of articles on the craft of woodturning for Canadian Woodworking magazine.

Allan’s style is constantly changing. He is always looking for that special piece of wood that Mother Nature created for him to turn into a beautiful piece of functional art.

Allan Cusworth

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