Gallery
Creative Process
Ankle deep in shavings, I enjoy peeling away the bark and cambium layers to see what the wood reveals. I start with an outside shape in mind, but the wood does not always cooperate. It is best if the final product can seem to float above the surface. Turning green wood initially progresses relatively quickly. Sometimes the interior removal is finicky, but once the outer rim thickness is established there is no going back. Part of the challenge is keeping the bark intact and not flying about the room.
I turn to final thickness and then let the magic take place while the wood dries. All sorts of interesting shapes emerge as the wood differentially shrinks. Most of the work to produce a bowl happens after the lengthy drying. I hand sand through successive grades first to remove tool marks and then each scratch pattern, until an unblemished surface emerges. Several coats of food-safe tung oil diluted with citrus solvent are allowed to sink into the wood and cure. The final coat is buffed-out walnut oil and beeswax. The finish is smooth and food-safe.
Ankle deep in shavings, I enjoy peeling away the bark and cambium layers to see what the wood reveals. I start with an outside shape in mind, but the wood does not always cooperate. It is best if the final product can seem to float above the surface. Turning green wood initially progresses relatively quickly. Sometimes the interior removal is finicky, but once the outer rim thickness is established there is no going back. Part of the challenge is keeping the bark intact and not flying about the room.
I turn to final thickness and then let the magic take place while the wood dries. All sorts of interesting shapes emerge as the wood differentially shrinks. Most of the work to produce a bowl happens after the lengthy drying. I hand sand through successive grades first to remove tool marks and then each scratch pattern, until an unblemished surface emerges. Several coats of food-safe tung oil diluted with citrus solvent are allowed to sink into the wood and cure. The final coat is buffed-out walnut oil and beeswax. The finish is smooth and food-safe.