Hollow forms are turned on the lathe from a solid piece of wood.
The interior is removed through the top opening while spinning on the lathe.
The shapes are often inspired by Southwest Native American pottery.
Much of the wood I use is gathered from storm damaged trees.
Most of the time, the wood is recently cut and must be dried before using.
Chunks of wood are cut to size with a chain saw or band saw, them rough turned to shape
and roughly hollowed (leaving about 1" wall thickness.
Then, they are dried in a kiln for several months.
The slow drying reduces the likelihood of the wood cracking.
When dried, they are mounted on a lathe again and turned to final shape and final hollowing
to a very thin wall thickness.
Click on any thumbnail for a larger image.
"Spirals"
4.75" Diameter
Wood: Holly
This patterned piece is inspired by Acoma pottery from northern New Mexico.
The black dye is applied to the very white Holly wood. To prevent the dye from running along the
grain of the wood, the outline of the pattern is first burnt with a hot knife edge.
"Earth and Air"
9" Diameter
Wood: Buckeye Burl with Ebony
The natural voids in Buckeye Burl create the "air" in this piece.
"Maple Burl Vase"
7.5" High
Wood: Maple Burl
The jagged rim on this vase comes from the natural edge of the burl.
"Maple Burl"
8.75" High
Wood: Maple Burl
The jagged rim on this vase comes from the natural edge of the burl.
"River Red Gum"
6.75" Diameter
Wood: River Red Gum with Ebony
Natural voids are a prominent feature of this wood from Australia.
A thin band of Ebony accents the rim.
"Squash Blossom"
11.5" Diameter
Wood: Maple
The pattern on this platter is from traditional Pima Baskets that were woven by Native Americans in central Arizona.
The six-lobed pattern is inspired by the flowers of native squash.
"Santa Clara Design"
4.7" Diameter
Wood: African Blackwood
Incised carving is inspired by Santa Clara pottery of northern New Mexico. The light colored portion of
the wood is the natural sapwood.
