Mark Hancock
My approach to teaching is to be as flexible as possible so each student’s requirements and expectations are met. Contact with students prior to a course allows me to understand what those needs are and adapt the content accordingly.
What will students gain if they come on one of your courses?The safe use of tools and working practices; tool sharpening; an understanding of the material they are working with (timber); what leads to good and bad design; an open minded approach to woodturning. Handouts and reference sources provided.
Are there any particular techniques/processes you use in your teaching?When mistakes are made encouraging students to analyse and understand why they occurred. Encouraging students to think freely and outside the bounds of the tools.
What inspires your own work?Anything and everything. Good design and aesthetically pleasing forms.
Where can students see examples of your work?On my website and in various galleries around the UK.
Where did you gain your training/experience?8 months full time training with a professional turner in 1989 followed by self teaching through attending numerous woodturning seminars in the UK and USA to learn new techniques and approaches to turning.
What teaching experience have you had?I have a teaching certificate (PTLLS) along with 15 years of teaching in my own workshop and courses in the USA and Norway.
Is your work in any public or private collections?I have work in the Daniel Collection, the Wood Turning Centre, Philadelphia, the Bressler Collection and numerous private collections worldwide.
Have you written any books/had articles published?No.
Do you belong to any professional groups/societites?Worshipful Company of Woodturners Professional Register Association of Woodturners of Great Britain (AWGB) American Association of Woodturner (AAW) The Contemporary Wood Collective