Mallee Burl Meets Manzanita Root

[Frank Van Atta]

These two pieces have been sitting around the shop - and tumbling around my head - for some time, so I finally decided to do something with them. The original intent was to make a goblet with the Red Mallee wedge, then I put these two pieces together - not just a simple process of "putting them together" like it may seem, but a lot of stacking, restacking, reversing, "hmmmmmming" etc. until I either finally got the right combination or got tired of fooling with them - and the rest, as they say, is history. I decided to call it "Desert Sphinx"; my wife decided I've been out in the sun too long; and the neighbors decided that I must be weird. Well, here it is anyway. The Manzanita root is 5 inches long.

http://fgvanatta.tripod.com/Sphinx1.jpg
http://fgvanatta.tripod.com/Sphinx2.jpg
http://fgvanatta.tripod.com/Sphinx3.jpg

[John Keeton]

Well, Frank, perhaps both of us "have been out in the sun too long!!" I like it! Very different, and a contrast in form, color and texture. It has a lot going for it, and I will be interested in seeing the comments you get. This one may divide the masses, and I love a piece like that!! Pushing the envelope is a good thing!

[jeremy levine]

Wild, but I would call it "Impact" it looks to me like a meteor impact on a strange planet. Nice work

[Richard Madden]

I like it. The thought and imagination that went into it is one thing, the execution is another. Well done on all counts!:cool:

[Frank Van Atta]

John - "contrast" was exactly what I was going for when I first put this together; "Sphinx" came to me after I had been looking at it for a while.


Wild, but I would call it "Impact" it looks to me like a meteor impact on a strange planet. Nice work

"Splat!" was the first thing that came to mind when I read your comment. :cool:

[Bernie Weishapl]

You definitely have contrast Frank. I like it a lot. Really a beauty.

[Dennis Ford]

If being out in the sun too long resulted in this; I think you should drink some water, go back in the sun and maybe you will be inspired again.

Nice work!

[David E Keller]

I like it. It's definitely going to be a conversation starter. It reminds me a little of an exotic mushroom growing off of a piece of wood. I really like the contrast between the turned inner portion of the mallee burl and its smooth triangular exterior.

[Curt Fuller]

Frank, sometimes the most difficult thing to do with a piece of wood is to just leave it alone. I love how you've kept the turning to such a minimum and let the unique wood just stand on it's own.

[Frank Van Atta]

Frank, sometimes the most difficult thing to do with a piece of wood is to just leave it alone.

Exactly so!