Some new work - and new camera

must've broken some rule again...

Mike Schwing from Md.

>Geez...now I know why those folks sometimes post notes saying stuff like;

"500 views and not one response". It kinda sucks.

I thought this was some of my best work. Who knew! Maybe I should have asked for critiques. I always appreciate constructive criticism.

Re: must've broken some rule again...

David Eaves

>Mike..

I think your post must have been hiding or something :o) I looked at your beast post last night. and even commented about looking forward to seeing some work from it.. it was here all along.

Down to business, they all look excellent. I particularly like the Apple one. I think you got the form just right there and I like how you orientated the heart/sap wood it really does work. The cherry vase is nice too. I think I like the proportions of the apple one more. The burl log is interesting. Looks like one to keep your fingers out of the way too :o)

I think you should work at that, it has a lot of potential. I've seen some really interesting bowls like that. I wonder if you should have gone for a slightly shallower rim coming out of the log?

Great stuff anyway, and thanks for sharing. Sorry not to reply sooner I had completly missed your post.

David

Re: must've broken some rule again...

Mike Schwing from Md.

>David, thank you.

Here's both halves of that same burl. The first one I like much better. It was turned from the inside of the burl. The other half was turned from the outside, thus the bark still on the rim. I was so curious about how it would look that way that I had to give it a shot, but I think most people would agree that the first one was "better". The bowl in the first one could have been bigger, and may have looked nicer, but it was a first shot. I have a lot more cherry burls like this accessible to me so I'll experiment.

The first half, and then immediately below, the second half..

Re: must've broken some rule again...

David Eaves

>Hi Mike,

Thanks for the reply and posting the other half. I agree the first one is really nice and the proportions look just right. I'm not sure if the bowl was bigger it would be as good. Lovely piece anyway.

I think seeing that backs up what I thought about the rim being too high on the other one to why it doesn't have the same impact. I think it's fun to leave the bark on. It just looks on this one like the bowl is "stuck" on and too high up.

Cheers

David

Re: Some new work - and new camera

Chuck Ludwigsen

>Mike,

I don't know how I missed these before. Sorry. Did that burl throw you around any or is that yellow beast just that solid?

Chuck in Memphis, TN.

Re: must've broken some rule again...

William R. Duffield on the Cohansey

>Mike, I agree with Dave. The problem with the second one is not the amount of bark, but the out of proportion height and weight of the rim. The first one would work better on any hunk of burl. When I say out of proportion, I mean the rim is out of proportion with the curve of the central cavity and with the curve of the area outside of the rim.

When you are turning something like that, you might want to disassociate the "two sides of your brain" :^). One side keeps your fingers away from the blurred burl, and the other side concentrates only on the form of the rim. Even if the bark, inclusions, knots, etc., intrude into the shape of the rim, ignore them until you have an elegant shape defined. When the shape is right, and you stop the lathe, if it won't hold nuts, you can either stick a frog to the bottom and arrange flowers in it, or hang it on the wall.

Re: must've broken some rule again...

David Hammond, in Powder Springs GA

>Been gone all day Mike, bucking logs harvesting tons (very literally) of wood - but those vase forms are very appealing. That cherry ought to develop a wonderful look, even with nothing on it - and that apple is particularily nice, but I like both of them, the form is really nice. Not too keen on the cherry burl, but we've all got to experiment - though I do like the first half of that burl. Nice stuff.

David