Artist Statement: Jeff Brockett is a retired retail executive who has been working with wood for over 40 years. He began woodturning about 20 years ago and has never looked back. Working out of his workshop in Mount Juliet Jeff spends hours creating his basket illusion series. The basket illusion pieces start out as solid pieces of hard maple. “I am passionate about the craft of woodturning. I willingly share techniques on turning wood, finishing wood, safe woodworking practices, proper tool and equipment use. I have strived to increase awareness and the appreciation of design for wood turned objects that have function or artistic objectives. My goal is to produce quality craft and educate the public about woodturning. The majority of my wood is obtained from tree services and sawmill off cuts. I create all my functional pieces entirely on the lathe. My basket illusion series is turned on the lathe and embellished off of the lathe. I focus on making my work attractive as well as useful. Creating pieces that can be used fulfills my purpose as a craftsman. I began my woodturning adventure in Nashville, TN where I saw a woodturning demonstration at a local craft show. This became the start of what has become a wild and crazy ride. I immediately began connecting with other woodturners, attended symposiums and joined three AAW woodturning chapters. I have served as an officer for the Tennessee Association of Woodturners and as the Vice-President of the American Association of Woodturners. I have demonstrated for several local woodturning chapters. In addition, I teach woodturning and provide woodturning demonstrations for local craft fairs.”