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Ambrosia Maple Wood for Wood Turning This is a Group of Spirit Bowls. The wood is Ambrosia Maple. The streaks of brown lines are creations of the Ambrosia Beetle as they eat their way through the tree. The small black holes that you see are where the Beetle enters and leaves the wood. The markings are form from bacteria and viruses produced by the beetle. Eventually, this leads to the demise of the tree. The Purpose of Spirit Bowls Spirit Bowl forms go way back and are c

Alchemy in Wood Wood Metal Alchemy Vessel is a theme that I often pursue to make a piece of wood no longer identifiable as wood.  The viewer will pick it up thinking the pieces is metal.  Madrone is a wood that will change shape as it dries after turning.  This is a perfect material to produce organic shapes.  I use copper paint and oxidizer for the antique effect.  The size is 3.5 inch diameter by 2.5 tall. Hollow Form Turning Wood Metal Alchemy Vessel is a Hollow Form style

Native American Style Pottery is a grouping of wood vessels inspired by Native American Art. The pottery made by the Native Americans was for utilitarian use like preparing and eating.  I studied the artwork on vintage pottery and borrowed designs for these wooden vessels.  I am very sensitive to working with Native American designs as so much of their art is ripped off. Often it is not respectful of their culture as I have learned from two Native American friends. The wood

Late one afternoon, while visiting the studio of Master Turner David Ellsworth a small piece caught my attention and is the inspiration for this Spirit Form Trio. For me these small forms are more powerful than the larger and elaborate pieces on display throughout the studio. They are very comforting to hold in the palm of your hand. Many turnings seem to be for display or containment. These Spirit Forms are for touching and holding. David believes the Spirits will find a h

Description No Sap Here is a Hollow Form Spirit Vessel. The wood is walnut.  The white sapwood is covered with black texture and the dark brown color is the hardwood.  The white sapwood on this spirit form is very distracting and boring.  To make the white section darker I use pyrography which is a branding process requiring a special tool.  I leave a fine white line between the burning of the black pyrography and the natural walnut.  The size is 5 inch diameter by 2.5 inches

Description Cat’s Eye Spirit Vessel is an Ambrosia Maple hollow form style spirit bowl.  Indigenous people believe that when a person passes they will come back to visit those they love.  The Spirit Bowl is a safe place where they can rest. This wood has great character from the stains of the Ambrosia Beetle creating an image of a cat’s eye. The size is 5 inches in diameter by 2.5 inches high. It is very comforting to hold and some believe spirits find a home in these forms.