my philosophy of timberframing is a bit like my philosophy of religion, where I follow John Coltrane, who said "my religion is to study all religions"
so it goes for me with timberframing.
I was lucky enough to be trained initially in centerline square rule, and saw japanese joinery cut on my first job. I studied ontario barns from childhood, built and renovated at a living history museum, and built a home for my family using a barn frame. I'm now studying engish framing and hope to travel to the UK soon. I would love to study timberwork all over the world and learn as much of the craft as possible.
I see timberframing as a way to make buildings that will inspire people, buildings that will support people. The times I had in my family's barn as a child were some of my best times. I can remember laying on my back in the hay and tracing the lines of the timberwork with my eyes. and plenty of times with the cows inside and a wicked winter storm outside, and the feeling of security inside the barn...
I also like to teach timberframing and have held about a dozen courses at my workshop so far. I learn a lot through teaching, I feel you understand something better after trying to explain it.
there is no end to what can be learned in this craft.
