Turnings by Ken
Ken Philbrook is in awe of trees. Where others see firewood, he sees both
functional art and a dream fulfillment.

Ken grew up in his father’s cabinet-making shop in San Diego. By age 11, he had been trained in every kind of woodworking equipment. At 15, he was a journeyman carpenter, and for the past 40 years, has been a professional woodworker.
Ken’s woodworking includes custom homes, high-end commercial door and casement work, architectural spindle turning for balustrades and columns, as well as furniture and cabinet making. He has also developed a special fascination for the wood lathe. This passion for wood turning, has led him to his dream of being a full-time artist. Ken now concentrates on turning wood chunks into unique and beautiful works of art.

Ken prefers creating his designs from challenging areas of a tree, such as crotches, burls, and bark inclusions. Some pines lend themselves to spore activity so that blue stain streaking occurs, which coined the term ‘denim wood’. Of the known 33,000 species of trees, Ken has turned hundreds of them including, acacia, zebrawood, cedar, fir, lilac, manzanita, oak, pine, avocado, black acacia, buckeye burl, carob, cotton wood, and elm; plus, exotic hardwoods including, fruit trees, mahogany, maple, walnut and pecan.

Ken talks to Lisa D. Smith of SouthwestBlend.com about his work. To hear the interview please double click on the Play button below:

Ken’s skill level begins at a ¼ inch high vase that can stand on the ear of George Washington’s head pictured on a quarter coin; to over a 3 foot diameter wall sculpture. He can accommodate an eight-foot column with a two foot diameter. Ken’s functional art includes hand-turned wooden bowls including salad bowls and fruit bowls, goblets, candle stick holders, platters, vases, and even children’s colorful spin tops. Many homeowners have commissioned Ken to create functional and decorative creations from trees being removed or cleared from their property, so they always feel that the ‘family tree’ is still with them.

Ken has exhibited in many galleries and has done demonstrations at art shows, fairs and festivals. Personal instruction is also available to qualified individuals.

To see a visual presentation of Ken's work, please click here.


For a schedule of demonstrations, shows and gallery exhibits, to purchase
or commission his artistic woodwork, or to find about instruction, please
contact Ken.