The Advanced category is determined to keep me busy (and that’s no bad thing). Eleven entries and each a pleasure to the eye. Some of these entries would fit as well in Artistic as Advance, however I take my lead from the category nominated by the entrant. But where to start?.... last month I pointed out how difficult it is to choose between pieces. This month, the advanced section really challenges me.
Tommy Harnett has turner this beautiful trinket box with dyed Beech base, Laburnum lid and Chacato finial. The colourings both natural and added, provides lots of interest for the eye. The inside of the box maintains the natural colouring of the Beech.
Willie Reville is adding some seasoning with a very nice Salt & Pepper set. He tells me that the base is from a piece of scrap timber, the stem is African Blackwood and the S&P pair is turned from Walnut. It seems a contradiction that anything this nicely finished could be called ‘scrap’ timber. Sean Earls has turned a lovely Yew bowl from a rough-cut plank. The edge of the bowl has maintained the saw marks as a feature. This is a reminder that much of the hard woods were cut in this way. Paddy Finn encourages us to reflect on out turning, with this elegant hand mirror. If you look closely, you will see that Paddy goes to great lengths to keep his tools in good shape. John Duff has turned Christmas into spring with a vase made from a Christmas tree stump. Yes, you read correctly. John may be running low on wood stocks, however he rose to the challenge and this fine vase is what he has come up with. Forget food parcels, its wood parcels, that some of us need in these challenging times. If we are not careful, it will be the legs of the chairs next.
Joe O’Neill has presented a family of bowls, fruit or salad, they would look good on any table. As food is for sharing, Frank Maguire has turned a pair of platters. Franks tool work presents crisp lines to highlight a beautiful grain. Brendan Phelan has turned a very well proportioned and finished vase. I suspect that if inspected with a torch or a prying finger that the inside of this vase would impress to the same standard as the outside does. David Sweeney yet again presents a piece of beauty. This Tripod Vase is turned from Laburnum with Ash legs. This looks like a great example of a Catenary Curve (see the May Newsletter). Jonathan Wigham turns a beautiful natural edge burl bowl from Apple. He tells me that it required a lot of superglue and that it was a difficult piece to turn as some of it was soft and other parts, hard as nails. Well-done Jonathan on a fine finished piece. This month, I am choosing Cecil Barrons’ fabulous Wall Plaque for first place. It is turned from Yew with a Laburnum insert. I particularly like the contrast between the turning and the ties, dressing across the natural splitting on the wood.
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