No Standards

Re: No Standards

Brad Vietje

>Terry,

I'm not so sure you've painted yourself in a corner, either. You could always roll out a distinctly new and totally different line of turnings that could be textured, burned, sliced & diced, or whatever. As long as you don't blur your identy as far as your stock and trade work goes.

A buddy of mine uses only local woods, and like you, does some monster big bowls and such. He has never done any tinting or dyeing, but this past fall rolled out a line of Boxelder burl bowls that were dyed with an aniline dye to a pretty and subtle chestnut red/brown color. They look nice, and he clearly identifies them as dyed wood to keep them separate from his usual fare.

The same fellow, after years of beautifully polished Black Cherry and Cherry Burl bowls, started selling rustic "primitive" bowls a few summers ago for the farmer's markets, where his gallery bowls were on the pricy side. These are unsanded oval bowls mostly right off the gouge or scraper; turned green with a little scuffing between applications of finishing oil to get rid of raised grain. They have sold very well, and the sales of his spit-shined premium bowls has not been hurt, either.

So I suppose if you are careful not to loose one identity, you can take on another, too !

Safe Spinning,

Brad Vietje

Thetford, VT

Re: No Standards

Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL

>I agree with you TD, discussions below not to the contrary. I also agree with Brad - one's bread and butter does not preclude a secondary line. Ask someone what Mike Mahoney turns, and you will probably get a mixed response. Some know him for his Art Work, especially the nested bowls, and others know him for his line of utility bowls.

Your stated market is finely crafted traditional solid wood bowls. (Are 36" bowls traditional?) But I think you probably already know that many of you upper end customers would invest in the Turned Art you could produce as well.

Keep the bread and butter, but follow your bliss on the other 10%.

Mark

Re: No Standards

David Galloway

>Terry, I really respect your standards as you are a fine turner of bowls, along with other criteria that I am not aware of. I would use the word "playful" for trying on some new things. I remember when you encountered Chris Stott and you had your world rocked with spindle turning. What a joy to learn new things, but that does not mean you leave what you know and excel at. 90-10, 80-20, 75-25....I don't know about what percentage is right for you. Some of us are more risk takers, adventurers, some are more comfortable pursuing excellence in one area. Regardless, there are many ways to enjoy this wonderful thing we share as woodturners. I bet you will do it just right!

Blessings,

David Galloway

Re: No Standards

Keith Tompkins

>Hey TD...you said you would never "stain" your work....I'm no lawyer, but I believe you can still carve, burn, segment, and paint your pieces without going back on your word! I feel you should do what makes you happy.

I think Andi Wolfe once said: Woodturning is a big tent...there's room for all of us!

Terry, you and I are sometimes at the opposite end of the spectrum in our work, yet we are both turners who love what we do. Our similarities far outweigh the differences! That's what makes turners so special.

Re: No Standards

David Hammond, in Powder Springs GA

>That's a good word Terry, and one that we should never get tired of being prodded with - excel indeed! And I'm with Mark and some of the others, I certainly belive in experimenting: I've got experiments all in my shop, some are in peices now, some have made their way into my gallery - I guess I'm more of a risk taker, and maybe that's just because I'm young - but there's certainly a place for a hard focus on one thing, until you master it.

David

Nope!

Bob Hackett

>What makes turners so special is that they are so open about what they do and how they do it.

I have yet to find a group that is more helpful and shares as much about thier chosen craft as turners.

So far the only ones who come close are the neanderthals over on the handtool board,just don`t mention low angle planes or old widow women.

Mainely,Bob

Re: No Standards

John Lucas

>TD

As king of the experimentors I have the opposite problem. Finding my place in the turning world. I work so much and have plenty of time to think and make sketches while I'm waiting for that photo op so when I do get in the shop it's hard to stay with one plan. I do try to make everything to the best of my ability but it's been difficult to establish a niche when you bounce around making all sorts of things.

On the other hand making all sorts of things has given me the skills to make whatever I want so when I do find that elusive niche I'll have the skills to persue it.

Re: No Standards

Mac

>Terry, Should I tell the guys how you went off the deep end of turning up here?Hey guys, he does other stuff!

Re: No Standards

JamieDonaldson

>I'm in the same boat with John- gallery owners have criticized my work as having no identifiable style- well, thank you! I don't intend to have a style because I enjoy the freedom to create that the lathe allows- can you say"value added firewood?!" Johannes Michelsen tried to escape the "hat man" stereotype without success,and many other turners are similarly typecast. I am fortunate to be able to turn because I enjoy the process and materials, not because I have to make 20 salad bowls today.

Re: No Standards

oubaasjohn

>OK I just had to get in on this art or what question.

I knew an artist in Toronto who did three different styles of painting. He also signed his work under three different names. His justification for this was that that was what the market demanded and he simply could not justify asking the same price for a work of art that took him 10 minutes as for one that required a few weeks. And he had to eat!