Darrin Hill

II've been a professional photographer for more than 30 years, and i also have a passion for antique photography equipment from around the Civil War. About 9 years ago, my neighbor sold me a cheap harbor freight lathe, and i used it for a week, and then went out and bought a big one. I began making simple wood jewelry to help fund my camera addiction, and eventually found that i love to go beyond what is considered normal. Most anyone can turn a bowl on a lathe, but i take it many, many steps further. I will turn something quite thick and then basically sketch a rough design on it and then start to carve away using various hand chisels, mallets, and mechanical carving tools. I use my photographic skills of proportion, lighting, symmetry and other techniques to create one of a kind pieces that help me reach my goal of creating something that can be passed down for generations. Rebecca, my wife of 18 years, has helped me keep our shop organized, but our 9 year old twin girls just want me to make doll furniture or paint my art pieces with glitter paint. Oh yeah, we're in College Station, and are both Aggies.