Finally the piercing tips are back out in anger!

[Richard Kennedy UK]

At last I have got back to doing some piercing its been too long!! I had concerns over this piece as I was making it and to be honest I am still not sure if I like it so I would welcome your input! Please be as critical as you like I have a tough hide!

Elm 140mm x 75mm ish

200124

Its called the Harmony of Bel (Bel is a celtic Sun god) it follows on from a piece I did called the fires of Bel.

Thanks for taking a look!

[Marty Eargle]

Awesome piece!

The form and the carving work are outstanding, but the grain of this wood is really what sets it apart. If I were to critique anything, it would be the pierced border around the lip. I'm not sure how I would have gone about taking the pattern to the edge, but the dashed line just seems a bit out of place. Still, very beautiful and something to be proud of.

[David Warkentin]

Your talent shows. I really like it.

[Ed Morgano]

Richard,
That is beautiful but I sort of agree with Marty. I think the border around the rim needed to be a little wider. Other than that, it's outstanding.

[Jim Burr]

Richard...you are to be shamed for the lack of pictures on something like this!!!! Glad you fixed the lathe/chuck issue...it shows!!!! My critiques are ...no wood type and no finish details!!! Shame on you!!! But on the plus side...absolutely beautiful!!!

[Dick Wilson]

I really don't know how to critique something like this. You are so far ahead of me in artistic design and execution that I am humbled.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Looks fabulous to me! Is that Elm? Great job on all the piercing and your photography really showcases how delicate the piece is!

Glad you are back to turning! Looking forward to seeing what you create next!

[David E Keller]

I really like this piece, Richard! Does it rest at that angle naturally or did you create a little flat on the bowl portion? Either way, the little tilt makes the piece for me.

[Jeff Nicol]

Looks like elm to me also, I am in Montana right now after 12 hrs on the road so it could be koa as tired as my eyes are! It is beautiful and the form with the upturned rim is great! I bought some burs at the AAW symposium so I will be giving it a go one day soon to with the piercing, I will need some practice first!

Awesome,

Jeff

[Jim Underwood]

I think since you don't like it, you should send it to me, and I'll set it on the mantle and admire it....

[Matt Hutchinson]

Hello Richard, another beautiful piece! I have really enjoyed your work. I admire your skill, vision, and perseverance! This piece has a high level of technical execution, and the crisp, clean lines really make it stand out. From a form standpoint, I think the bowl is spot on. I may have preferred the rim to have a slightly shallower curve, but the shape you gave it is more "unexpected" which adds to its interest. Also, as always, the piercings are done wonderfully, yet I find that the field of piercings may be a little too homogeneous. Now that I am aware of the celtic significance of the title, maybe a celtic design structure for the piercings could have been used?

But once again, I can't stop returning to your work. I think I've looked at it 5 times now. This piece is captivating and worthy of high praise. Keep up the superb work, it's truly inspiring! Thanks for sharing!

Hutch

[John Keeton]

Richard, first of all, the lighting you used with this pic, combined with the angle at which the piece sits, is just awesome! Really brings out the best of your fine work here. I see the comments on the rim, and perhaps a continuous unbroken dash around the rim, or wider, etc. But, I really think those are all matters of personal taste and take nothing away from a well thought out, and beautifully done work.

[Scott Hackler]

Richard this is nice. I like the overall form very well. The way the ring curls up is a nice treatment. I do see a little fluctuation around the rim where the piercing starts. I have found that creating a clean line to stop the piercing is more easily done by masking off the part that you dont want pierced and pierce right up to the tape. That makes for a very clean transition.

Well done and thanks for posting.

[Joe Adams]

Absolutely stunning!

[Rich Aldrich]

Richard - Incredible work. The wood was a very good choice. I can't imagine having the patients to do the carving....yet.

[Kathy Marshall]

Excellent piece Richard! I really like the piercing and I'm with John, the way you shot the pic really shows the piece to great advantage!

[Richard Kennedy UK]

Richard...you are to be shamed for the lack of pictures on something like this!!!! Glad you fixed the lathe/chuck issue...it shows!!!! My critiques are ...no wood type and no finish details!!! Shame on you!!! But on the plus side...absolutely beautiful!!!

Hi Jim the Wood is Elm The finish is wax buffed to a soft sheen as for more pictures I have some more from the finished shoot but none from along the way as I wasnt sure I was going to spend the time on it.



Hello Richard, another beautiful piece! I have really enjoyed your work. I admire your skill, vision, and perseverance! This piece has a high level of technical execution, and the crisp, clean lines really make it stand out. From a form standpoint, I think the bowl is spot on. I may have preferred the rim to have a slightly shallower curve, but the shape you gave it is more "unexpected" which adds to its interest. Also, as always, the piercings are done wonderfully, yet I find that the field of piercings may be a little too homogeneous. Now that I am aware of the celtic significance of the title, maybe a celtic design structure for the piercings could have been used?

But once again, I can't stop returning to your work. I think I've looked at it 5 times now. This piece is captivating and worthy of high praise. Keep up the superb work, it's truly inspiring! Thanks for sharing!

Hutch

Thanks for the critique I have looked into celtic style piercing but there is something in me that baulks at the idea of using them maybe its due to the fact that here in Scotland they are everywhere but also perhaps its due to the much more technical nature and formality they pose.

To everyone who commented re the edge of the piercing this is the area I hate the most its horrid to do and worse in Elm due to its grain structure getting a straight line is very tough to achieve. I have a larger more complex piece sitting waiting to go next and this little one was supposed to be a warm up to get my eye back in. I would love to come up with some form of delineation that worked better and I will someday!

Thanks you all for looking and I really appreciate all the comments I have been a bit down lately partly due to the issues with the 3520B but also I think because I was struggling to make anything after my broken foot your words are a real pick me up so thanks

[Michelle Rich]

my only criticism is ...why so few pictures? A piece this wonderful deserves more pictures..

[Toney Robertson]

Wonderful piece and as have been mentioned the photograph REALLY highlights it.

I also agree that it would be nice to know the dimensions.

Excellent job.

[Marc Himes]

Richard, I really enjoy your work. This piece as many of your others invites closer inspection of your fine craftsmanship as well as the beautiful wood. I tend to agree with some of the comments about the rim, but my reaction to the piece is very positive. Great photo too.

Marc

[Michael Short]

WOW !!! That is awesome. How long did it take to you make this piece?

[Tim Thiebaut]

That is just an incredibly cool piece of art right there, one of these days I want to give that a shot myself....be a while before I can afford the tools for it though.

[Jon Nuckles]

I can't add anything new to all the positive comments that have been made, but I certainly second each and every one. Nice!