Keith Rueckert was born in the dairy country of Clear Lake, WI. Though he has lived in many states, he settled in Michigan upon finishing school and a short stint in the U.S. Army. While visiting a friend in Atlanta, Ga. in 1964, the contrast in weather extremes persuaded him to relocate and make it his home. He met his wife there; marrying her in 1969. Both his father and step-father had been building contractors. Thus it was natural that he would migrate into that field as a builder of single family dwellings. However the experience of double digit interest rates during the late 70's and early 80's caused him to transition his business to remodeling and renovation.

    During his years in Atlanta, Keith developed an appreciation for the works of Ed and Philip Moulthrop - well-known father and son woodturners from the Atlanta area. His admiration of the beauty of the wood in the bowls they created, grew into a desire to one day try his hand at wood turning - officially known as face plate turning.

    Keith retired to Gilmer County in the North Georgia Mountains in 1998. With time on his hands and a need to "supervise" something or someone, his wife gently reminded him that it was time to pursue that wish. After taking a one day lesson from a fellow turner, purchasing a lathe and a few tools, he was on his way to a very satisfying hobby.

    Keith's long experience working with wood in his business gave him a deep appreciation for the various grains, textures and colors. Most all of his creations come from trees on his own acreage that have died or been felled by nature's will. Other wood is obtained from friends in the tree removal business who watch for trees that have distinctive color and/or grain or with unusual knots or burls. Fungus growth - known as spalting - will cause unique flaws, cracks or patterns in the wood as will the insects that commonly inhabit the trees. What may appear to be a rotting log to one, is a challenge and inspiration to the turner. The defects of nature give him an opportunity to make each vessel truly one of a kind.

    When Keith is asked to duplicate a certain piece, he responds: "No two pieces of wood are alike. Each offers to me it's unique character which I attempt to define through form and expression. While some ventures wind up as fuel for the fireplace, I find deep satisfaction in the process. The end result may differ from what I envisioned at the beginning."

Each piece is one of a kind, please call 706-632-6625 or email turningleaf@tds.net to check availability.

 

   

  

KR669" A Day in the Orient" Box Elder Vas 

Turned by Keith Rueckert Burned by Zada Jackson

Approximate size 13 1/2 inches high by 9 inches in diameter

The red in this piece was caused by nature!

$1,895.00

 

 

 

 

KR778 Tulip Poplar Closed Hollow Form with Textured Rim

Approximate size 10 inches high by 11 inches in diameter

$1,395.00

 

 
 

 

KR753 Ambrosia Box Elder Closed Hollow Form

Approximate size 9 inches high by 10 inches in diameter

The red in this piece was caused by nature!

$995.00

  

 

   

KR746 Ambrosia Box Elder Closed Hollow Form

Approximate size 8 inches high by 8 inches in diameter

The red in this piece was caused by nature!

$795.00
   

   

   

KR759 Crab Apple Closed Hollow Form marked with Yellow Bellied Sapsucker Feeding Holes

Approximate size 6 1/2 inches high by 7 1/2 inches in diameter

 $465.00

 

 

 

   

KR780 Briar Burl Closed Hollow Form

Approximate size 6 1/2 inches high by 6 1/2 inches in diameter

$495.00

   

 

KR745 Box Elder Closed Hollow Form with Kingwood Finial and Textured Rim

Approximate size 7 1/2 inches high by 7 inches in diameter

The red in this piece was caused by nature!

$400.00 

KR617 Acacia Closed Hollow Form

Approximate size7 inches high by 7 1/2 inches in diameter

$365.00 
   

 

  

 

KR594 Ambrosia Maple Closed Hollow Form

Approximate size 5 1/2 inches high by 7 3/4 inches in diameter

$325.00

 

 

  

 KR691 Golden Maple Burl 

Approximate size 8 inches high by 7 inches in diameter

 $320.00

 

 

 

 

KR654 Poplar Natural Edge Bowl

Approximate size 4 1/2inches high,

 11 inches long by 9 inches deep

$ 295.00

 

KR727 Box Elder Natural Edged Closed Form

Approximate size 5 inches high by 4 1/2 inches in diameter

The red in this piece was caused by nature!

$295.00

 
   

 

 

KR779 Crab Apple Closed Hollow Form with Yellow Bellied Sapsucker Feeding Marks

Approximate size 4 1/2 inches high by 6 Inches in diameter

$295.00

 

               

                                       

   

   

KR773 Crab Apple Closed Hollow Form with Yellow Bellied Sapsucker Feeding Marks

Approximate size 5 inches high by 5 inches in diameter

$295.00
 

 

 

KR803 Box Elder Closed Hollow Form

Approximate size 5 inches high by 7 inches diameter

$285.00

 

 

  

 

KR807 Crab Apple Closed Hollow Form with Yellow Bellied Sapsucker Markings

Approximate size 4 1/4 inches high by 6 1/2 inches wide

$275.00
   

 

 

KR729 Sumac Root Wood Sculpture

Approximate size 6 1/2 inches high by 7 inches at widest

$265.00 

 

  

KR760 Box Elder Burl Closed Hollow Form

with Ambrosia Box Elder Finial

Approximate size 7 1/2 inches high by 5 inches in diameter

The red in this piece was caused by nature!

$210.00  
   

 

   

KR719 Sumac Natural Edged Closed Hollow Form

Approximate size 3 1/2 inches high

 5 inches long by 3 1/2 inches deep

 $225.00

 

 

 

  

KR659 Willow Oak Carved and Textured

Approximate size 3 1/2 inches high by 5 inches in diameter

$225.00 

 
 

 

 

KR728 Sumac Bark Edged Wing Bowl

Approximate size 3 inches high

4 inches long by 3 1/2 inches deep

$195.00

 

 

 

 

KR758 Ambrosia Maple Vas

Approximate size 6 inches high by 4 inches in diameter

$170.00

 
 

 

 

KR619 Sea Grape Bowl

Approximate size 2 3/4 inches high by 5 3/4 inches in diameter

$115.00

 

   

    

     

         

KR805 Crab Apple Natural Edge Bowl

Approximate size 3 inches high by 5 inches wide

$110.00

 

 
   
 

 

KR804 Ash Bowl with Burned and Brushed Rim

Approximate size 1 inch high by 6 1/4 inches in diameter

$95.00

 

  

KR806 Walnut Bowl with Burned and Brushed Rim

Approximate size 2 inches high by 5 1/2 inches in diameter

$90.00