GEORGE SHAPLAND 

BIO

Born in India, I was raised on a farm in Kent where her learned a love for the outdoors and working with my hands. I spent a lot of time getting under my father's feet in his workshop and picked up a lot about wood in the process.  

I was first captivated by turning at school where I was taught the very basics but never had the opportunity to develop it further.  Despite a brief and not very successful attempt at retrying turning in 2007 with the purchase of my first lathe, it was not until my retirement from the army after a 33 year career that things looked up. 

As part of my resettlement, I undertook a course with the Internationally renowned Master Turner, Stuart Mortimer, whose work continues to inspire me to this day.  With Stuart's encouragement and support, I rekindled my love of turning and became a full time turner in 2018.  

As I continued to develop, I took the plunge and turned professional in 2019 with the launch of my company Butterwood.  I was accepted onto the Register of Professional Turners later the same year.

I now run workshops for those who would like to try their hand at turning. Visit my WORKSHOPS page for full details.

ARTWORK

Specialising in segmented designs in exotic hardwoods, I also enjoy crafting pieces from domestic woods that make the most of its natural beauty.

I derive huge pleasure from sharing my passion for the craft and run training and taster sessions from my workshop in the Avon Valley.

My work has been exhibited locally and I am a regular on the Salisbury Arts Scene and Hampshire Open Studios.

I undertake commissions and recently created a piece for the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch at the Guild Hall in London that was auctioned in aid of service charities.

Click on each image to enlarge.

ORANGE BOWL	IROKO BOWL	STRIPPED PLATTER
Segmented and pierced pedestal bowl in Padauk	with segmented rim 38cm	in exotic hardwoods (one of a pair)
29cmx12cm	38cm	26cm
£900	£400  -  sold	£100
A VASE WITH A TWIST	FLOWER BOWL	LIME BURR BOWL
Segmented vase in Zebrono with a holly pig finial	in Zebrano and Wenge	from a Lime Burr
32cm - height	12cmx8cm	41cm
£350	£250	£300
PEDESTAL BOWL	SPALTED BOWL	JATABA GOBLET
in Iroko with segmented rings	Silver Birch	with segmented rings
38cmx20cm	26cm	20cm height
£500	£260	£60