Master woodworker David Marks first became interested in working with wood as a college student in California. The New Jersey native started by creating small items from driftwood found along the beach and selling them in crafts shops and at street fairs. As his interest and abilities grew, he found employment as a cabinet maker and furniture restorer (an education in itself, as he was able to hone his skills by studying firsthand how fine pieces had been constructed and finished).By 1981 his restoration work was in such demand that he opened his own shop. At about the same time he signed up for a weekend workshop conducted by members of the Baulines Craft Guild -- and his career took off into a whole new direction. No longer content to create pieces in a more traditional idiom, he began drawing on his early exposure to New York City's art museums in order to develop his own highly personal style: a contemporary fusion of African, Egyptian and Asian; art deco and art nouveau; and arts and crafts influences.
Today, despite the fact that Marks is active as a craftsman, a teacher and a leader in the crafting community, he nevertheless continues to expand his artistic horizons. Marks's love for his craft and his dedication to its advancement make him a popular instructor, and he brings to his teaching the same commitment he has always shown to his art. That, coupled with his genuine love for teaching, makes him the natural choice to be the host of Wood Works.
Learn more from David in his columns, featured regularly in Scripps Howard News Service newspapers across the country, or by visiting his website at www.djmarks.com.
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