Rob Scharf developed an interest in woodworking at an early age doing projects with his father, such as building a closet-sized wine rack. This interest soon developed into a passion. In high school he made a water ski, which still sits on a shelf in his studio. Fast forward to 2018 when he had an opportunity to take a woodturning class. He was immediately hooked. He subsequently had friends asking him to make things for their homes and asking for lessons. He was soon teaching bowl-turning classes at the University of California, Davis. Retiring from the University of California in 2019 he and his wife moved out of the valley to Pollock Pines enjoying the trees and cooler weather.
The wood is often locally sourced, such as from fallen oak trees from his yard or neighbors’ yards, wine barrels from local wineries, and the Sacramento Tree Foundation’s Urban Wood Rescue. Heloves to take a piece of wood, massage it with a lathe’s chisels and other tools, turning it into a beautiful piece to display in someone’s home or place of business. He spends almost every available waking hour in his wood studio cutting, turning, and finishing wood pieces.
Each piece is unique, considered a work of art.
