Biography
My youngest daughter at the age of 12 said "Mum, you're out of your tree!" when she heard about my woodturning venture. The name stuck. Nobody forgets it. I started making huge handmade garden umbrellas, and sold them under that name. Then, after all the cheap Asian imports started flooding the market, I turned my attention to more serious turning, making most of my work totally individual.
Having trained under teacher John Shiel initially, I later got a great deal of help and advice from both Ciaran Forbes and David Comerford, two of the finest woodturners in Ireland.
I have also worked in conjunction with Geoffrey Heally, the potter, and together, on a joint effort, we have won several prizes at the Craft Show at the RDS during Horse Show Week in Dublin.
I am a member of the Irish Woodturner's Guild, and have been a member of the British Guild of Master Craftsmen.
Since I started "Out of Your Tree" in Co Dublin over 20 years ago, I have moved premises twice, and am now settled in Co Meath on a farm. My workshop is an old converted stable, and visitors are always welcome to call in to see my work.
More recently I have taken up a paintbrush again. I specialise in animal portraits and work on commission. I normally work from photographs, preferably taken by myself when possible. Please see the gallery for an idea of what you can order.
We have other creative artists in the family. My daughter Siobhan Strahan is an artist, and you may view her work by visiting her website on the Links page. Likewise, my sister, Claire Finlay, is a ceramicist, and her website is also on the Links page.
Having trained under teacher John Shiel initially, I later got a great deal of help and advice from both Ciaran Forbes and David Comerford, two of the finest woodturners in Ireland.
I have also worked in conjunction with Geoffrey Heally, the potter, and together, on a joint effort, we have won several prizes at the Craft Show at the RDS during Horse Show Week in Dublin.
I am a member of the Irish Woodturner's Guild, and have been a member of the British Guild of Master Craftsmen.
Since I started "Out of Your Tree" in Co Dublin over 20 years ago, I have moved premises twice, and am now settled in Co Meath on a farm. My workshop is an old converted stable, and visitors are always welcome to call in to see my work.
More recently I have taken up a paintbrush again. I specialise in animal portraits and work on commission. I normally work from photographs, preferably taken by myself when possible. Please see the gallery for an idea of what you can order.
We have other creative artists in the family. My daughter Siobhan Strahan is an artist, and you may view her work by visiting her website on the Links page. Likewise, my sister, Claire Finlay, is a ceramicist, and her website is also on the Links page.