Doug Brinks

I was born and raised in Middleville, Michigan.  As a teenager, I fell in love with cars and music.  I worked in the automotive field during the day and as a musician on the weekends.  In the early 90’s, I became involved with local theater, the Village Players of Middleville, where I enjoyed acting and directing.

I began a woodworking project that required some equipment I didn’t have, so I purchased a Shop-Smith woodworking machine.  After I finished the project, I converted my Shop-Smith to a wood lathe just to see what wood turning was all about. Well, that changed everything!  I was instantly addicted to wood turning.   

After two years of 60 or more hours per week honing my skills as a wood turner, I felt confident enough to enter a piece in the Barry County Artist Exhibition and won first place!  The following year I entered again and also took first prize.

I retired from the automotive field in 2016, and began doing things I really enjoy, like music and woodworking. Since then, I have been participating in art shows all over Michigan.   In 2014, I became a volunteer at the Grand Rapids Public Museum doing woodturning demonstrations on behalf of the Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo chapters of the American Wood Turners Association.  I am deeply involved with the Grand River Wood Turners Guild in Grand Rapids, where I serve as president.   I especially enjoy mentoring and teaching the art of woodturning.

Most of my work has natural edges exposed.  I like to see a piece of art that transforms from the rough exterior to the smoothly finished inner beauty.

Selected Shows and Awards:

Thornapple Arts Council Barry County Artist Exhibition, First Place: Hastings, MI

Gallery Uptown Winter Arts Festival Third Place 2019: Grand Haven, MI

Festival of the Arts Regional Arts Exhibition

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