Jon Hartge’s passion for his art is a perfect example of how an interest in the process of creation can improve one’s life. Jon is a retired disabled veteran. After years adrift in endless medical appointments and testing, Jon has found his calling on land. Turning has helped him recapture a part of himself he thought he had lost at sea. A purpose. A drive and a function of sorts.

One day, Jon’s wife suggested that it would be good for him to pursue his interest in wood because it would calm his mind. With that, Jon traded some of his old tools and bought a lathe. He then taught himself how to work the lathe. Presently he searches for anything he can turn on the lathe; wood, resin, epoxy, colored pencils, anything. He gets much of his wood from fallen trees especially after a hurricane but he loves going to Double Eagle Sawmill in Cocoa, Florida. He works a lot in oak because it is plentiful but he likes to work in different types of wood like zebra and, his favorite, olive wood from Jerusalem of which he can only get small amounts.

With those smaller cuts he makes pens, salt and pepper shakers, Christmas ornaments, and “Golfer’s Pencils.” He says he prefers making large pieces like urns and vases but larger pieces of wood are not easy to come by. He experiments with different materials such as blocks of epoxy and resin and recently used a bucket of colored pencils, poured epoxy over them and then made bowls on the lathe resulting in interesting designs.

Jon states, “When I start on the lathe I have an idea but then the wood takes over. It talks to me and takes on a life of its own.” Speaking of lives, the wood gave Jon his life back.