Cottonwood HF

Re: Cottonwood HF

Terry Daniel

>Dave, that cottonwood is a bear to cut isn't it? I'll bet you spent some extra time sharpening the tools. As far as the piece is concerned, I think it looks very nice as is but I also think you could improve it with a couple of things. A little reverse curve at the foot to "lift" it would help and the walnut collar is a little too big for the piece, not much but a little. Then again, it could be just the camera angle.

TD

Re: Cottonwood HF

John Trant (Baltimore/DC area)

>Beautiful shape to the base, good proportions, nice smooth curve all the way up to the neck. It may be the angle of the photo but the curve of the neck and the vase do not blend well at their junction. I love the wood, love the base of the vase, but something about the neck strikes me funny.

With that said, I would be proud to have turned such a lovely vessel. Great job!!

John

Re: Cottonwood HF

Bob R WestMac Turning

>If I could do so good. Great wood. Neck may be a bit to much. Nothing is great to all of us.

LOOKS GREAT

Bob R WestMac Turning

Re: Cottonwood HF

Kudzu

>I have to disagree. I think the proportions are great. The neck, while long, works for me! But what do I know?? :-)

Re: Cottonwood HF

GaryG in MD

>Dave,

That is a beautiful HF, a really lovely piece of wood, and a nice finish. I really like it a lot. That would be all I would have to say -- and perhaps all I should say, because I do not have anything like the skills needed to make something like that. I am envious now, but I'm working up to it slowly.

But since you asked for a critique, let me give you some honest thoughts. Please understand that I'm just being subjective now and super picky. I would say three things. 1) The collar might be just a tiny bit tall -- perhaps 10-20% to my eye. 2) It may be the photo, but it appears (repeat, "appears") that the curve between the body and the collar may be slightly discontinuous. Perhaps not. 3) The curve of the body as it nears the bottom seems a bit too straight. It might have benefited from curving the sides in a little more rapidly as you near the bottom (reducing the radius of the curve as you go) and making the body just a tad shorter, as a result, to maintain the size of the foot.

Now, feel free to ignore all that. Again, I would be crazy proud to have made that vessel, Dave. Excellent work.

Gary

Re: Cottonwood HF

Thomas Skaggs, Foothills of Mount Level

>Critique? Dang...that'll be easy. It's ALL good! Form, wood, finish...hey man, that is one really purdy piece!

Tommy

Re: Cottonwood HF

Jim King

>I agree with Tommy. Very nice.

Re: Cottonwood HF

Arch

>Dave,

Probably more envy than critique, but since wood speaks to some of us, it may have gender. if your HF is considered to be masculine, I suggest keeping the hair natural and the head (collar) flatter, the shoulders broader, the hips narrower, the legs straighter, and the feet arched.

Conversely if the piece is feminine, curvey forms contrasting and luxurient hair, thinner necks, narrower shoulders, flatter tummies, wider hips, longer legs, thinner ankles and higher insteps are good things :)

IOW, I admire your HF and I'm lamely trying to turn bad art appreciation into worse humor by trying hard to find something, not to like. :)

Regards, Arch