LMG Woodwork puts a shine on nature

Lance Greener never saw a piece of wood he couldn't work.

For the last few years, the Milton-based artisan has spent most of his free time taking scrap lumber and found wood and transforming the pieces into utilitarian works of art.

Greener shapes rolling pins, goblets, bowls, picture frames and even ink pens out of scrap lumber and says he likes to work with the imperfections in wood to showcase nature's unique artistry.

"I always like to make things into art, keeping the wood natural so you can see the grain," he said.

The 31-year-old craftsman studied photography and graduated from Delaware College of Art and Design in 2008 but now works at the Dogfish Head brewery and spends his free time doing matting, framing and woodwork in addition to some occasional photography.

"In college, that's where I got the love of matting and framework," Greener said.

But now, the woodworker said his focus on creation has left him with a perfectly polished inventory that is beginning to take over his work space.

Greener said he needs an outlet to sell or display his wares and free up some room in his shop, which is already stocked with heavy machinery, hand tools, mineral oils and beeswax, not to mention a surplus of inventory from the limited time he has to indulge.

Such are the problems for creative types.

"I start accumulating so much, and I keep looking for places and ways to sell it," Greener said, admiring one of his works. "When you put the finish on it, it really makes the grain pop."

Until Greener finds a vendor, his super-smooth walnut and maple pens lay at rest in split-bowl cherry turnings while wooden goblets fill tabletops with divinely inspired grains. The picture frames remain unfilled and rolling pins unfloured.

For more information about LMG Woodwork, matting and picture framing, call 302-745-1682 or email lmgreener@gmail.com.