As a leading exponent of contemporary woodturning, I create one-of-a-kind sculptural vessels and artistic forms from Australian timbers. I travel extensively to collect and then season many of this country's rare and coloured grained woods (coolabah, red, grey and white box, fibrous zanthorrhoea - also known as grass tree or blackboy - huon pine, myrtal and desert myall, just to name a few). However my most renowned work is in red river gum burls, where I exploit the natural grain edge or rim, incorporating gold-leaf and ebonising.

I am exploring suspended bowl forms with ebonised rims.

I am totally self taught. For the past 13 years I have taught and lectured throughout Australia and many overseas countries.

Mike St Clair Images

Working with wood has been part of my life since childhood. So it was natural for me, when the opportunity arose, to start a new career as a woodturner and woodworker.

Wood has the amazing ability to reflect the human consciousness. It is a material which is exciting to work with; it has feelings and emotions and must be worked with and not against. To stroke and caress a beautifully made wooden object is a sensual experience which gives immeasurable delight. It is one I never tire of. Wood speaks in a silent way to the craftsman, ever calling on him to rise to new heights of excellence.

Wood returns in kind by revealing ever deeper and deeper qualities of beauty. So I work in wood with much frustration and angst but also with much Joy, Pleasure and Peace. I hope it returns the same to you.

Neville Wostear Images

I have worked with wood since I was able to see over my father's work bench. In recent years I have made quality small furniture pieces by commission but a recent move to the country brought out a new interest in the forms of nature.

My pendants and earrings are made from woods of exceptional colour, grain and character. They are cut and glued together, then shaped by hand to reflect the shapes found in nature. Some pieses are cut and glued many times to create mosaic like patterns.

I try where possible to use woods from sustainable sources and hope in the future to grow some of the species I use.

David Frenchs Images

My interest lies in exploring new possibilities in the design of pots and of glaze qualities.

Bark art is a craft unique to Australia. The bark used is usually from the Melaleuca (paper bark) tree, which is found throughout Australia. Paper Bark has been my interest for a number of years. The Melaleuca tree, commonly known as 'Paper bark', has many varieties and variation of texture. It is exciting to work with.

The bark can be as fine as paper, almost like lace, or covered with a dusty powder; or be like leather. There is also weather-worn grey, and bushfire black. I have trained myself in this art form, and use the bark as if I were painting a picture.

I work using tweezers as the pieces can be small, and the technique slow. Timber is a wonderful product with a sense of being alive, and I never tire of having this form of art on my wall. The bark has been treated.

Bev Doak Images

A love of the 'outback' and of trees has been the inspiration for much of my work. Australia is known as a sun burnt country and what better way to portray this than to use our natural bark with their reds, browns, russet and orange tones. Tones which relate to the earth. The types of bark to use are mainly Melaleuca (paper bark), Gee Bung, or any soft pliable bark. The outer skin of corn cobs or garlic is often used to highlight a tree trunk or fence and bamboo can give the effect of water. I am self taught and have no formal training

June Dalton Images

Twelve years ago I decided to leave the busy world of corporate printing and publishing and devote time to designing and making handmade books, journals and a line of photo albums. Because I had a thorough knowledge of papers, commercial binding and graphic design, I was able to apply my skills easily to this new direction.

It gives me great pleasure to research and re-create old styles of binding and give them a contemporary look. I use Italian Longstitch, Coptic binding and exposed decorative threads - all old European styles which I interpret in a more modern way.

Linda Bottari Images