Brian Kent
02-01-2016, 5:12 PM
This is a commissioned work by Claremont School of Theology using some some of Sam Maloof’s walnut. The communion set will sit on Sam Maloof's Walnut altar table at the seminary.
When the seminary professor who commissioned the works, saw the 4 initial pieces, she was concerned that there was no inlay, so the pieces could get lost on a similar color table. Although I disagree with her concern, I agreed to add inlays to the large pitcher and the small communion cup. That is where my problems began, at the (dis)junction of physics and art.
The first photos show the 12” chalices and the 12” plates. So far, so good.
Next comes the small chalice with inlay. The maple and the walnut were different enough in structure that big chunks kept of breaking off of the foot. So I made a new foot without inlay. It is structurally sound.
My question on this one: does it look coherent or ridiculous?
Next comes the pitcher. It leaked like a sieve. After multiple layers of shellac on the inside, It had stopped leaking. I will have at least 3 additional coats of wipe-on varnish (poly and thinner, but no oil). I can add an epoxy surface if needed. But I noticed I had done some part of the geometry wrong. The inlay line up on one side, but it off by 2 stripes on the other. When I turned the top 180° it did not help at all. I think I mis-marked the center on either the top or the bottom piece. The middl will be wrapped with layers of twine for grip.
My question on this one - should I proceed and live with the mis-matched stripes or start over?
I have one remaining piece of walnut. I can re-make either the small chalice or the pitcher. What do you think? I have to keep one of the two pieces. Other alternative is to re-make both pieces with similar walnut, though not from Sam's woodshed.
Thank you for your time and artistic wisdom.
Blessings and Peace,
Brian Kent
When the seminary professor who commissioned the works, saw the 4 initial pieces, she was concerned that there was no inlay, so the pieces could get lost on a similar color table. Although I disagree with her concern, I agreed to add inlays to the large pitcher and the small communion cup. That is where my problems began, at the (dis)junction of physics and art.
The first photos show the 12” chalices and the 12” plates. So far, so good.
Next comes the small chalice with inlay. The maple and the walnut were different enough in structure that big chunks kept of breaking off of the foot. So I made a new foot without inlay. It is structurally sound.
My question on this one: does it look coherent or ridiculous?
Next comes the pitcher. It leaked like a sieve. After multiple layers of shellac on the inside, It had stopped leaking. I will have at least 3 additional coats of wipe-on varnish (poly and thinner, but no oil). I can add an epoxy surface if needed. But I noticed I had done some part of the geometry wrong. The inlay line up on one side, but it off by 2 stripes on the other. When I turned the top 180° it did not help at all. I think I mis-marked the center on either the top or the bottom piece. The middl will be wrapped with layers of twine for grip.
My question on this one - should I proceed and live with the mis-matched stripes or start over?
I have one remaining piece of walnut. I can re-make either the small chalice or the pitcher. What do you think? I have to keep one of the two pieces. Other alternative is to re-make both pieces with similar walnut, though not from Sam's woodshed.
Thank you for your time and artistic wisdom.
Blessings and Peace,
Brian Kent