About Me

TRACEY LEE 

I am a retired software developer and former U.S. Navy Photographer. I discovered my passion for woodturning after retiring in 2017. What began as a way to make my own bobbin lacemaking tools—by crafting handmade bobbins—soon evolved into a deep and ongoing exploration of the woodturning craft.

Drawing inspiration from the textures and patterns found in nature, I create a wide range of turned pieces, from functional forms to expressive, artistic works. My surfaces are often enriched with microcarving, woodburning, and drybrush acrylic painting techniques, adding depth and character to each creation.

I am a member of the Northeast Florida Woodturners Association and the American Association of Woodturners. I currently share my expertise through demonstrations and classes, teaching fellow woodturners my approach to surface texturing and drybrush painting.

In addition to woodturning and lacemaking, I recently embraced weaving as another expressive outlet in my creative journey. Originally from New York, I hold a degree in Computer Science and now reside in St. Johns, Florida, where I continues to explore the intersections of wood and fiber arts.

Recent Highlights:

·  Best of Show, Florida Woodturning Symposium (2025)

·  Juried Artist, AAW Symposium (2025)

·  Featured Guest, Meet the Woodturner with Pat Carroll (2025)

ARTIST STATEMENT

I am a creator—a maker who finds meaning in transformation. As a fiber artist and woodturner, I work with my hands to bring form, color, and texture into harmony. In my woodturning practice, I give new life to each piece of wood, embracing its natural grain and history while enhancing it with embellishments and paint, often inspired by intricate patterns and organic forms. I aim to honor the material while elevating it.

Creating is both meditative and expressive for me. It provides peace, focus, and a quiet sense of stillness in motion. Whether I’m shaping wood or working with fiber, I create to connect—with myself, with nature, and with those who experience my work.

I began my woodturning journey just six years ago, and I am still finding my voice. My artistic vision and technical skills continue to evolve as I explore new techniques, forms, and ideas. Each piece I create is part of a larger dialogue between tradition and innovation, reflection and discovery.