Paul Jackson: Practical Beauty
Ordinary Extraordinary People
Cathy Hutson the Heronry Columnist
There is a talented artist hard at work right here in rural West Perth. Mr. Paul Jackson moved from his birthplace in Calgary, Alberta to Ontario in the early 1970s. The mid 1980s is when we welcomed him to our own neighbourhood in West Perth, and he’s been an integral part of it ever since.
Paul was not always the master woodworker he is today. It was a path he chose to embark on after spending 18 years as a local UPS delivery driver. In the summer of 2005, after losing his wife and the mother of his son to a serious illness, he took a brief period of time to regroup and make decisions on what the rest of his life should look like. Today, he is a man who has 21 years of experience in the woodworking business. He has become a master of his craft, to say the least!
Back in Alberta, Paul’s Dad had been the typical handyman of the olden days. It was in an 8’ x 8’ metal shed where his Dad housed the usual “tools of the trade” that Paul’s passion for artistry with wood was born. During his career as a delivery driver Paul would observe many local workshops and also the varied fancier wood designs adorning houses scattered along the roads. He became fascinated with the intricacy of the numerous “gingerbread” patterns prevalent on historical buildings in our area. During his spare time, he played with designs in his small basement workshop in Gadshill.
His workshop time was just a hobby until early in 2006 when “things got serious”. That hobby led to the successful business PK Millwork & Trim is today. Paul’s business has evolved into a “one-of-a-kind” shop that most people only read about in prominent woodworking magazines.
To put the growth in perspective, the early days would see Paul spending 60 hours to turn out 60 wooden spindles for a front porch design; today he typically turns each spindle on a large copy lathe in 10 minutes or so. His current shop is 1700 square feet; it houses four industrial lathes and numerous other tools of the trade. He is capable of turning a porch column up to 24” in diameter and 10 ft. long.
A deep appreciation for our historical heritage buildings has helped this master woodworker develop the skills he now uses daily. When it comes to replicating or restoring specialty woodwork this man can make whatever you can’t buy! A trip around the rich heritage districts of Stratford, London, Kingston, Toronto and even into some foreign countries would offer one a first-hand view of Paul’s work. He creates the timeless beauty that can be seen on many of our most grand historical verandas.
Although PK Millwork & Trim is a comprehensive business where one can order porch handrails, custom sawn spindles and balusters, curved window and door trims, historical mouldings and all types of architectural millwork, this man’s creativity takes flight when it comes to “turning”: the art of creating wooden pieces on a lathe. He is a true artist, as can be witnessed in his one-of-a-kind bowls, vases, plates and ornaments; each like none other.
I would be remiss if I neglect to mention the generous nature of Paul Jackson. He volunteers his time, talents and location every second Monday evening when he leads a local woodturners club. He is a believer in “paying it forward” especially when it comes to teaching his skills to our locals. The group is bursting at the seams though, so anyone interested in learning would have better luck reaching out to the Thames Valley Woodturner Guild in London for teaching.
Paul has been a proud member of the Thames Valley Turners Guild for over 20 years, his learning being nurtured by many world class wood turners. Recently this group of dedicated local woodturners has been supporting the Guild in the creation of “bravery bead bowls”; these are donated to London Sick Children’s Hospital where they are given to children undergoing medical treatments for serious illness. The segmented bowls are very intricately designed; the children use them to hold beads they earn for various medical procedures and each bead holds a special meaning.
Another example of Paul’s creativity is his somewhat hidden talent as an accomplished musician. He is a current member of our own Mitchell Legion Band and until recently had been an active member of the Stratford Concert Band that he’s been playing with since 1992. He plays the flute and the piccolo. Since he has played these instruments since 1973, he plays them well! A lot of time has gone into practices, related travel, participating in parades, concerts and special celebrations.
I asked Paul what he loves to do best in life. He was quite clear on his answer: woodturning. This is where he feels his creative side has the most opportunity to expand. He hopes that in the future he will be able to devote more time to use his artistic talents in this particular area of woodworking. He welcomes a challenge. Square plates and platters as well as urns and hollow forms are a new endeavour. The bowls and vases he creates are uniquely stunning. Our fall fair judges think so too!
Anyone who has had the good fortune of doing business with Paul, let alone having him as a neighbour, is lucky. He brings artistry and a community spirit to everything he does. Come down to 3579 Road 160 in West Perth sometime. Meet the working man and get to know the artist!
Ordinary Extraordinary People is an ongoing series that highlights community members of West Perth. If you know of someone whose positive influence on the community should be celebrated, please nominate them by sending us an email, or write up an article about them yourself and submit it!