Works in Progress: Process Images
Dublin Core
Title
Works in Progress: Process Images
Description
All of these pieces begin as hunks of native hardwood, harvested from local sources: red or sugar maple, yellow birch, ash, walnut, basswood. Burls are thought to be caused by a virus, which causes rapid and contorted growths which appear as bulges on the host tree----more analogous to a wart than a cancer, burls do the trees no great harm.
The ideas for these pieces were drawn from extensive sketches and drawings done over the years: when a new idea springs to mind, I make a note of it before it fades. Thus, I have a ready ‘larder’ of beautiful burls and intriguing ideas. Many of these forms are begun by exploiting the symmetry generated by the revolving movement of the lathe--the woodworker’s analog to the potter’s wheel. Once I’ve completed the turned segments, I continue to make use of a full array of woodworking and carving technologies: bandsaw and chainsaw, heavy-duty air-powered grinders, and more delicate power- and hand-tools.
The stippled texture on many pieces is accomplished with a ‘pencil grinder’ (similar to a dentist’s drill) and a small spherical carving burr. Stippling creates contrast in both texture and color, without the use of stains or dyes. Polished surfaces are accomplished with a variety of abrasive techniques, from coarse to fine, ending with a final buffing, and a base coat of Watco penetrating oil, and finally several finish coats of Minwax Antique Oil finish.
The ideas for these pieces were drawn from extensive sketches and drawings done over the years: when a new idea springs to mind, I make a note of it before it fades. Thus, I have a ready ‘larder’ of beautiful burls and intriguing ideas. Many of these forms are begun by exploiting the symmetry generated by the revolving movement of the lathe--the woodworker’s analog to the potter’s wheel. Once I’ve completed the turned segments, I continue to make use of a full array of woodworking and carving technologies: bandsaw and chainsaw, heavy-duty air-powered grinders, and more delicate power- and hand-tools.
The stippled texture on many pieces is accomplished with a ‘pencil grinder’ (similar to a dentist’s drill) and a small spherical carving burr. Stippling creates contrast in both texture and color, without the use of stains or dyes. Polished surfaces are accomplished with a variety of abrasive techniques, from coarse to fine, ending with a final buffing, and a base coat of Watco penetrating oil, and finally several finish coats of Minwax Antique Oil finish.
Collection Items
Process: Vermont Spoons
Carved maple burl in the form of a large bowl and two spoons. Leaf texture and pyrography. Gilding. Watco and Minwax oil finish.
My carvings are often ‘tailored’ to create a form that literally ‘suits’ the unique contours of the burl. But the beauty…
My carvings are often ‘tailored’ to create a form that literally ‘suits’ the unique contours of the burl. But the beauty…
Process: Rage Correctly
For Rage Correctly, I carelessly arranged my models on the wood’s surface, and drew their outlines. Carved and burned, bleached and gilded, a single piece of basswood shows its range as the chameleon of woods.
It’s a tip-of-the-hat to influential…
It’s a tip-of-the-hat to influential…