SMC Art Challenge 2010 - Robert McGowen

[Robert McGowen]

I was told that I had to enter this or else......... you know who you are!

Artsy entry is a Red Mallee bowl. I left it kind of thick, as it seemed to fit the piece and gave it a nice heft when you picked it up, but the photos make it look thicker than it really is. 13.5" x 12" x 2.5" Finished with 3 coats of Antique Oil, which left it really smooth to the touch and a bright red color.

[Robert McGowen]

A mesquite bowl from a tree I cut down and turned. 10" wide x 5" high and kind of thick, but that is the way they seem to sell the best. Finished with 2 coats of Danish Oil. It is kind of an unusual shape for me, but turned out better than I thought that it would.

[David E Keller]

Nice work on both of them. I particularly like the Aussie burl piece.

[John Keeton]

Nice job, Robert!! That burl is beautiful! Very nice form, as well. The mesquite bowl very much looks like it should be in a kitchen.

Great entries!

[Tom Hamilton]

Robert, very nice pieces. Like you I also think a little thicker is better for most bowls that might see some type of use. The M&M's are beautiful pieces.

You surprised me as I understood you were only doing segmented pieces.

Isn't this turning thing an interesting hobby!

Best regards, Tom, in Georgia, really liking Robert's M&Ms.

[James Combs]

Such beautiful color for the burl. Love it. And the bowl, I would be proud to own it.

[Richard Madison]

It's very red! Does it keep the bright color long term?

[Steve Schlumpf]

Robert - very nice work on both pieces!

Have to admit that I was surprised that the art piece wasn't segmented but very pleased with your entry! Sure is some beautiful wood! I like the slightly thicker form on this - just seems to add to the color!

Very nice bowl! It has a soft/warm look to it - probably a combination of wood color and finish - but it sure looks nice!

Nice work! Thanks for sharing!

[Toney Robertson]

Robert,

Both are very nice but I have to admit that I am a mallee fan so the first one gets my vote.

Toney

[Steve Mawson]

Very nice on both pieces however the wood for the art piece is outstanding. Someday I would like to find a piece like that to turn. Great entry.

[Frank Van Atta]

Love that Mallee Burl piece. Never met a piece of Mallee Burl I didn't like, but that one is so red it looks like Coolibah. Great bowl.

[Joe Wiliams]

MMmmmmm..... I see raspberry meringue:D

[charlie knighton]

very nice pieces, i am partial to the mesquite and like your slightly thicker pieces

[John Hart]

Beautiful!!! I love the Red Mallee piece....and anything made of mesquite.

[Tony De Masi]

Beautiful pieces Robert. That burl is a stunning piece, but am I wrong in thinking I've seen this before?

Also, the Mesquite bowl looks just as good upside down as it does right side up. Very nice form on that one.

Tony

[Harvey Ghesser]

Love the Red Mallee piece!:D Nice work!

[Robert McGowen]

That burl is a stunning piece, but am I wrong in thinking I've seen this before?
Tony

Once a cop, always a cop :D....... This is the one that you are thinking about. I just turned the art entry last week.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=131648&highlight=mallee+burl+bowl




You surprised me as I understood you were only doing segmented pieces.




Have to admit that I was surprised that the art piece wasn't segmented

I prefer to think of it as a segmented piece with just ONE really big segment......... Actually, retirement has been so busy that I have not had the time to do a segmented piece of any size lately. (You retired people know what I mean!)

[Mark Hubl]

Very nice work. The burl is just fun to look at over and over.

[Roland Martin]

That is a great looking piece of mallee burl and a nice form. I also like the mesquite bowl, a different shape than usually seen and works well.
Thanks for posting Robert.

[Mark Burge]

Great job on both. The burl is absolutely beautiful. I also like the utility piece. That is a great thought on segmented work. I might like segmented work where the joinery approaches zero! I say approaches because the only joinery I've done lately has been gluing explosions back together :)