Maple Platter w/Crystal Mineral Inlays

[BILL DONAHUE]

This piece is the result of having lived on the Mississippi Coast during Hurricane Katrina and taking a course last month from Stephen Hatcher in crystal mineral inlays at the John Campbell Folk School. It's a maple platter, almost 14" in diameter, inlayed with crystal minerals. The rim and design were carved about 1/4" deep then filled with calcite in three degrees of courseness, saturated with CA glue and sanded (for many hours). The trees' smaller branches were done with a woodburner. This is my 1st named woodturning, "Katrina Tree #1."

The tree is a composite of two trees on Hwy 90 in Pass Christian, Ms. and is typical of many of the live oaks that lost the limbs facing the windward or Gulf side during Hurricane Katrina. We lived on the water on the Mississippi Coast and lost our house which took four years to rebuild and sell. During that time we made a lot of trips from our new home in Pensacola back to the Mississippi Coast and took a lot pictures of post Katrina destruction.

Thanks to all of you guys who offered help for the problems I was having with the finish, especially to David Christopher who invited me to his shop and taught me some of his techniques.

[Steve Vaughan]

absolutely gorgeous! beautiful wood and beautiful design!

[Steve Mawson]

That is something. Well worth the name. This one is worth a tutorial. Really nice and well done.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Bill - this is absolutely amazing! Beautiful piece and one you should be very proud of! Exceptional art work - really love the inlay! To say this is impressive is such an understatement! I am totally in awe! Thanks for sharing!

I do empathize with you on your hurricane experience. I used to live in Heron Bay, Alabama - which is south of Bayou La Batre and just north of Dauphin Island - we lost everything, and I mean everything - in hurricane Frederick back in 1979. Quite the experience and like all natural disasters - it brings out the best (or not) in people.

This is an amazing piece Bill!

[David E Keller]

Beautiful... You really captured the tree IMO. Great work.

[John Keeton]

Bill, this piece is absolutely wonderful. You captured the feeling and emotions, the movement of the tree, the bark, the depth of field and perspective - just wonderful art, and the craftsmanship used in the medium is superb!! I finally got past the art, and realized that you also did a beautiful job on the turning!! And, it seems mundane at this point, but nice wood, too.:D

When I hear stories like yours, and Steve's, I realize how truly blessed I am. I thank the good Lord everyday for my circumstances, and pray for those in worse. You, and your family, will cherish this piece for generations.

Thanks for posting, and for the source of inspiration for this piece.

[gary Zimmel]

Stunning piece of work Bill.

[Bill Bolen]

Wow Bill that is just plain beautiful. And you tell a good story to go along with your art...Bill...

[Wally Dickerman]

Very well done....looks like the Master himself had done it.

Wally

[Robert McGowen]

That is a really great piece, Bill.

[Donny Lawson]

I could'nt add anything else other than what the others have said.GREAT!!!!!!!!!!
Donny

[George Morris]

Bill great work! You sure did a fine job on the turning and inlay work! G

[Justin Stephen]

That's gorgeous.

[Curt Fuller]

Wow, that's beautiful!

[neil mackay]

Bill,

Excellent work with great detail

[Toney Robertson]

Both the wife and I agree that your piece is VERY cool.

That is a piece of art.

Toney

[Dennis Ford]

WOW!!!
Amazing work.

[charlie knighton]

very nice...

[Roland Martin]

My heart goes out to you & everybody that dealt with Katrina's wrath. This platter is an incredible example of human resiliance. A world class turning, Bill! I simply cannot come up with the words that could do justice to your talents. God Bless

[Bernie Weishapl]

Beautiful Bill. Absolutely love the inlay.

[David Christopher]

Bill, your platter is beautiful
I would like for everyone to know that I was lucky enough to see this in person....the pictures look great but do not do this piece justice.....and I was also lucky enough to meet one of the nicest people, thanks Bill

cant wait to see your next creation

[Brian Effinger]

That is really stunningly beautiful. How long did it take you to complete?

[BILL DONAHUE]

Guys, I appreciate all of your comments. The information, inspiration and encouragement from this site is fantastic.

Steve - Hurricane Frederick was my 1st hurricane. Had just moved to Gulfport, Ms. a few months before and didn't really lose anything, mainy because I didn't own much of anything. Lived in an apartment and my biggest asset was a Hobie Cat which I towed up to Hattiesburg.

John - Don't know where in Central Kentucky you live but this weekend I'm taking four members of the Western Kentucky U. swim team fishing. My son is one of them. They just won the Sun Belt Conference and they're expecting to be put on some big fish. The pressure's on me now.

Wally - by "master" I assume you're referring to Stephen Hatcher. He is a 1st class guy both as a woodturner, a teacher and a person. He gave us the basics of his technique and now we have to develop our own style.

David - You are an example of the saying "when you want something done ask a Navy Chief."

Brian - it took a very long time.

[curtis rosche]

what are you going to do with it? sell it for a fundraiser, donate it, or keep it?

[Tim Browne]

An incredible piece all around. Beautiful wood, nicely turned, terrific inlay, great concept and well executed. The cost of that class has to be some of your best spent money.

[Paul Douglass]

Very very beautiful work.

[John Keeton]

John - Don't know where in Central Kentucky you live but this weekend I'm taking four members of the Western Kentucky U. swim team fishing. My son is one of them. They just won the Sun Belt Conference and they're expecting to be put on some big fish. The pressure's on me now.Bill, I am about 3.5 hours from WKU, though one of our daughters attended there - many years ago. Great school, and nice part of the state.

Good luck with the fishing!!

[Keith Burns]

Bill, this is absolutely stunning !! Good story to back it up as well.