I began wood turning in 2019. Self taught, I turned in my garage for hours after work each day. It had a very calming effect on my mind as I watched the chisel remove material and shape each piece. Having recently been diagnosed with complex PTSD (the consequence of surviving severe childhood abuse), wood turning helped me stay grounded and reconnect with my body while experiencing the emotional turmoil and disregulation that comes with CPTSD. As an active meditation, wood turning has been hugely therapeutic and has helped to reshape the way I see the world through healing.

At first, I wanted to make "perfect" bowls. I was eager to make something worthy. I wanted to fix or hide any and all cracks, holes or perceived flaws. It didn’t take long, however, before I began to find much more depth and meaning in each piece. My goal quickly changed from creating the “perfect bowl”, to uncovering the natural and organic beauty that already exists. Now, I take my time with each piece as I watch closely for the imperfections that are asking to be seen.

My work has become a reflection on the equanimity of life, or the acceptance of the good and the bad we all experience. The wood I use is all discarded wood. Fallen trees from neighbors’ yards, dead logs, often things I find on the side of the road. I’ve found incredible beauty, value, and worth in the “discarded.” I’ve learned to find meaning in (and now make a point of leaving) the cracks and the holes in each piece as they reflect back to us the pain and suffering of life. It’s through their acceptance that we find great healing.

As we go through life we begin to see and understand a much bigger meaning: that it is the pain alongside the happiness (or, the imperfections alongside the pure grain) that lend life its truest beauty.

Each bowl I make is unique. Just as we are all unique, and our life's experiences are all our own. No two will ever be the same, but all have their own character and carry the marks of their own experiences. I’m surprised at how important this work has become to me, and find more and more I’m eager to share this message and it’s symbolism with everyone. Thanks for being part of the journey.

-R Tollstrup