Black & White Elm Hollowform

[Curt Fuller]

This is in direct contradiction to my long held belief that wood should be finished just as it grew on the tree. But what the hey, sometimes you get a wild hair. I've seen this done before but recently I saw a piece on another forum by Andy DiPietro that was amazing, so I'm giving him credit (or blame) for pushing me to give this a try. It's Siberian Elm, dyed black, and then waxed with Kiwi white shoe polish (poor mans liming wax) and buffed by hand. 8" x 4.5". All comments, critiques, and teasing for using color on wood expected.

[Ron Erickson]

Curt I like it alot, why not go all the way and paint the inside black. Ron

[Baxter Smith]

I agree with your first sentence. I didn't put dye or stain on any of the woodwork in my house-and there are a lot of different species.

However-different is good and I like it!

[David Christopher]

Curt, I agree with the others, I like it

[Bernie Weishapl]

I don't see anything to fun about. I really like it Curt. Well done.

[Gary Conklin]

I think it looks great, I happen to see that other piece, and this is a fantastic musing. I agree that the inside should also be dyed. You might have gone for a liitle less shine on your finish, but that is your norm so what the hey.

[Dick Strauss]

Curt,
You've definitely got a nice piece there! The color treatment really show off the grain pattern and shape. :cool: This elm is too plain to be left natural IMO!

[Steve Schlumpf]

Curt - Welcome to the Dark Side!

I know what you mean about not wanting to do anything to the natural wood - but sometimes you just have to reach out there for a different effect.

You did great on this one! Looks really thin! Nice job with the black dye as well as with the liming process! I think Andy D. would approve! Probably only me - but I like the contrast between the black outside color and the natural inside!

[Jon Prouty]

I love it... I like the way the inside is natural - more artsy (not really a word but it fits). Finishing the inside black may make the piece more mass produced looking vs something artistically created. This is a piece I would love to emulate one day!

JP

[David E Keller]

I love it. The grain is beautiful, and I like the inside in its natural state. If you dyed all of your turnings I would worry about you, but a little color now and then is not a bad thing. It's not like you colored a big chunk of beautiful burl.:eek:

[Richard Madison]

Very cool piece Kurt. I think Andy's cover piece is great too. While in the "emulation zone" would you consider adding an acrylic lid/finial? Just a thought. What kind of black dye was used?

[George Guadiane]

Curt,
In GENERAL, I'm with you. Pick beautiful wood and let it show why you picked it...
Having said that, I've been messing with color a bit myself, still with the idea that you should still be able to see that it's wood.

I really like this piece, and the inspiration piece that Andy did. I think they both show the wood enough (through the contrasting grain) to make it clear that you (both) turned a VERY nice hollow form.

[John Keeton]

OK, no one else is going to step up and do this. Curt, this is where it all starts. First it is a small, beautifully done piece, that is quietly (in a dark corner probably!) dyed, and forever changed. Then, before long, there is another, and pretty soon, it feels OK.......Just KIDDING!!:D:D;)

I am not one that likes to dye or stain, but I have no hesitancy to do so if it enhances the overall piece. This works, and works very well. Like the more recent posts, I think the natural interior adds substantially to the piece, and to color it would be a distraction. I also think the white grain fill is the icing on the cake and makes the effect happen here.

Well done!

[Barry Elder]

Fie on you for using your creative brain, Curt!!! It looks very elegant! Well done!

[Keith Burns]

Curt, what can I say. This is totally excellent from form to coloring it is just perfect.

[Bill Bolen]

To steal Barry's post,I think this is "quite elegant"! Leaving the interior natural is a great addition to the dyed exterior. Love the zebra like striations in the grain....Bill...

[Rob Cunningham]

I really like it Curt. I think the contrasting colors on the outside and the natural color inside work well together.