Dear Woodworker,
It was exciting for us to host Gary Rogowski’s class on building a wooden plane in June, 2024. Ten beautiful, well-functioning planes were built, plus Gary’s enthusiastic teaching style was inspirational to all. His teaching style evolved over more than a decade as Director (and founder) of the Northwest Woodworking Studio, which offered serious hands-on woodworking classes in Portland, Oregon up until Covid. The Studio is currently offering ONLINE training programs that range from a 4-week "Setting Up Shop" series this fall to a 2-year Mastery program. Visit the Studio's website for details.

In this issue of Wood News, we’re telling Gary Rogowski’s story using Jim Dillon’s review of Gary’s book, “Handmade: Creativity in the Age of Distraction,” as well as Charles Brock’s interview with Gary. We also invite you to look at photos from Gary’s two-day plane-making class.

Check out Gary's podcast called Splinters, which shares musings on creativity told by a born storyteller. Longer episodes in the archive also include interviews with other interesting woodworkers.

Chris Bagby, co-founder
Highland Woodworking

Gary Rogowsksi's
Splinters Podcast
on Workshop Flow

Besides his fundamental theme of investigating and celebrating Creativity, Gary is all about cultivating Flow in the workshop, with steps well thought out in advance and tools organized ergonomically yielding a rhythmic Flow. Doing handwork gives special meaning to the abstract notion of woodworking. With your mind focused, your hands mindfully guide and power a blade as it slices through wood fibers in the way you intend. Efficiency improves and creative handwork flows.

Listen to the Podcast


Read Gary's Newsletter