Richard Pagano is a self-taught woodworker and lathe artist.  He was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 1942.  Although he has been woodworking since the age of ten, his first woodturning experience came in 1999 when he purchased a discounted lathe at a local hardware store.  In 2000, Mr. Pagano sold his two computer companies, retired and relocated with his wife Betty, from New Jersey to the Albany area of New York where he was able to devote more time to woodworking.  During this short time his passion, aptitude and design sense for turning wood became obvious.

Mr. Pagano is a member of the American Association of Woodturners, the Adirondack Woodturners Association, the Northeast Woodworkers Association and the Designer Craft Council of the Schenectady Museum.

It is with regret that we inform you that Mr. Pagano, after a brief bout with leukemia, passed away on October 12, 2004. Mr. Pagano's work is not for sale.

ARTIST'S STATEMENT

"At present, my lathe work is comprised primarily of segmented and laminated woodturnings.  Some pieces are practical items but most are one-of-a-kind art form pieces.  My ideas are based on an exploration of form, texture, color and symmetry.   Inspiration for my work has been heavily influenced by my fascination with southwestern Pueblo Indian pottery, both historic pieces as well as more contemporary designs.  Of particular interest are the works of the late Maria Martinez of the San Ildefonso Pueblo in New Mexico and the potters of the Acoma and Mata Ortiz Pueblos.  The fantastic repertoire of form and imagery afforded by polychromatic southwestern pottery, provides me with the challenge I need to produce in wood, traditional designs normally painted on clay.

After careful planning on paper, each piece is milled and painstakingly assembled as segmented rings or laminations.  The rings or laminations are then stacked and glued before being put on the lathe for turning.  Occasionally I will use carving, scorching, resin or metal to create the desired effects.   My work is made from both native and exotic kiln-dried timbers."

2001 Showcase 2001: Northeastern Woodworkers Association, Saratoga Springs, NY

                                    1st Place Woodturning

                                    1st Place Accessories (Jewelry Box)

2001 "Made In New York"  The Cooperstown Art Association, Cooperstown, NY

2001 Schenectady Museum, Schenectady, NY

2002 Showcase 2002: Northeastern Woodworkers Association, Saratoga Springs, NY

                                    1st Place Segmented Turning

                                    2nd Place Spindle Turning

2003 Showcase 2003: Northeastern Woodworkers Association, Saratoga Springs, NY

                                    2nd Place Segmented Turning

2004 Showcase 2004: Northeastern Woodworkers Association, Saratoga Springs, NY

                                    1st Place Segmented Turning

                                    2nd Place Faceplate Turning

                                    2nd Place Spindle Turning

PUBLICATIONS

Segmented Turning - A Complete Guide - by Ron Hampton - Published by GMC.