Joe Devinny

Retired professor of engineering Joe Devinny is a natural for the mechanical aspect of woodturning—the craft requires an ability to conceive and design complex objects in three dimensions and familiarity with measurement and machinery.  At the same time, it clearly calls for artistic creativity.  A bowl or vase must be a pleasing sculptural composition that is effectively complemented by the figure of the wood—even as it requires tight joints and a smooth finish.  

Devinny makes pieces using simple forms to emphasize the color and shape of wood—creating natural-edge bowls.  He also makes pieces using segmenting techniques, in which many small blocks of wood are combined and turned to create geometric patterns, and multi-axis turning to create complex shapes that become true sculptures.  His latest works are assemblages of many turned pieces, which become elaborate sculptures and decorated bowls.  

Devinny is a member of the Artists’ Studio Gallery, and displays his work in the Palos Verdes Art Center Location. He is a member of the El Camino Woodturner’s Guild and the American Association of Woodturners.