Hollow Form Art Entry

[Michael E. Thompson]

A local gallery submitted a request to our turning club for any of us to enter their wood turned art competition. This is what I came up with. A few weeks ago I asked the forum for ideas I could use to turn a 6x6x3 block of wood. I got a lot of good ideas, but ended up with this hollow form. I was limited at to what I could do with the piece, for example, I could only use wood from that one piece of wood, no dyes or accent wood.

So I decided to make this HF as large as the dimensions allowed me using birds-eye maple with a little bit of spalting. It measures 5.75" x 2.75". The thickness varies from approx. 3/32" across the top, 3/16" on the sides to approx. 1/4"+ in the bottom. I also spent more time than usual on the finish. My lack of picture taking abilities does it no justice, but it is sanded to 800 then wet sanded with BLO to 1200. A couple more coats of BLO followed up with shellac sealer. Sanded again with 1200 then a few coats of clear shellac followed up with three wheel buff. I send it in this week for jury evaluation. As I understand it, Cindy Drozda is one on the jury.

Please C&C is welcome.

[Mike Cruz]

Very beautiful form. And the wood is outstanding, too. Good luck at the art competition!

[David E Keller]

It's beautiful. Great wood, great form, great finish. I don't know how it could be any better. Best of luck on the show.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Well - this one sure brought a smile to my face! Nice form - beautiful wood! Great job on the finish!

Best of luck with the jury!

[Bernie Weishapl]

Great looking HF. Really nice wood and form.

[Robert McGowen]

Really nice work, Michael. No flat spots, well proportioned, great job!

[Leo Van Der Loo]

Very pretty wood Michael, and a smooth form, well done.

[John Keeton]

Michael, you certainly ended up with a beautiful piece, and the maple is a perfect wood for the finishing technique you used. I would imagine you will do very well in the competition! The BLO and shellac gave the maple a wonderful color, too.

[Michael E. Thompson]

Thanks for all the kind words. I am pleased with how it turned out. Hopefully the jury like it as well.

[Tim Rinehart]

Michael,
I think you'll fare quite well. That's a stunning piece of wood and beautiful finish.
I'm not familiar with the wet sanding using BLO...gotta add that to the things to try. I typically just stop at about 800 (which coincides with my eyes not seeing scratches). Hmmm, me thinks there's something else to those wet sand steps that improves stuff the eyes don't see stopping 800.

Well done and good luck in the competition. If the inside is half as nice as the outside...I'd say your competition is the one who have to worry!

[Tom Sherman]

Very well done Mike

[John W Dixon]

Michael that is really nice! Did you use anything inside or is the dark color just shadow? Again nice job.

John

[Tony De Masi]

That is one beautiful piece Michael. I agree with JK that you chose the right finishing technique for this one. Nice warm feel to it.

Good luck with the jury too.

[Rob Cunningham]

Very well done. Beautiful wood and a great form and finish.

[Michael E. Thompson]

Michael that is really nice! Did you use anything inside or is the dark color just shadow? Again nice job.

John


Nope, nothing on the inside other than BLO.

Thanks.

[Mark Hubl]

Nice job. The piece looks good, the wood is wonderful and your finishing regimen has brought out it's best.

[Baxter Smith]

Beautiful wood with a beautiful shape and finish. Very nice!

[Gary Conklin]

Great looking piece, the form and finish really compliment the wood!!

[Ron Bontz]

Congrats and best of luck to you.:)

[Michael James]

Time very well spent on that finish. Very nice piecs, and beautiful chunk of wood to boot!

[Christopher K. Hartley]

Michael nice piece. Good luck on the selection process.:)