Jimmy Cook - Aspencraft

Jimmy Cook was raised in Mancos, Colorado. He started school in Mesa Verde National Park with eleven students in the first eight grades. Starting in his preteen years he started working in the family business, Aspencraft, where he quickly learned to admire and appreciate the natural beauty of Aspen and other woods. He spent much of his life in the outdoors both for recreation and work and has marveled at the beauty of nature. After serving four years in the U S Navy, he returned to Mancos where he has his wife owned a lumber yard and hardware store for over twenty-five years. He also became involved in mining of precious metals and metallurgy work. He designed and constructed his lathe and began turning beautiful wood hand-turned showpieces.

The artist selects wood from logs left by woodcutters, timber companies and diseased or naturally fallen trees. He turns the wood slowly to determine the shape and style of the work of art. The design is often changed as the piece unfolds to best show the grain and intricate details. Turquoise is often inlaid in the wood to further enhance the design. The product is carefully sanded and sealed to show the true color of the wood.

Each showpiece is numbered, signed and dated. With the proper care,this handicraft will be lasting work of beauty. Do not allow it to come in direct contact with excessive moisture or heat.

The bowl wood is used for #674 came from Spring Creek north of Mancos in the LaPlata Mountains. I found the downed log in a grove of spruce and aspen trees. The wood is spalted and the inlay is turquoise and magnetite from the desert sands of Arizona.