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Antique Wood Quartet



Antique Wood Quartet are four Madrone wood pieces that I paint with copper and an oxidizer so they look like antique pieces.  The sizes are approximately 3 inches each.

I love to change the look of wood to metal. It is a theme that I often explore to make wood appear that is no longer identifiable as wood.  The viewer will pick it up and conclude it is metal.  Madrone wood changes shape as it dries making it a perfect material for producing organic shapes.  The process is to turn the wood shape, paint it with copper and then oxidizer creating the patina effect.

Hollow Form Turning

Antique Wood Quartet is a Hollow Form style of wood turning requiring skill to remove the interior wood through a small opening.  Using special hook shape tools the maker is unable to see into the opening and relying on calipers removes the interior wood while maintaining a thin wall.

David Ellsworth  developed this style in the 1970’s.  Popular with glass blowers and ceramists, David envisioned wood in this form. The challenge is that wood turning removes material while ceramics and glass add material. A block of wood is static. It cannot be made larger.

From Utility to Art Form

This technique was revolutionary making wood turning an art form. Ellsworth shares this techniques with other turners. Because of his example there is a tradition that if you ask a wood turner how they make something they will share their knowledge. This is not true in the other crafts. Ask a jeweler how they make their piece and watch them clam up.

Here is a link to another hollow form piece Faux Antique Vessel

Studio

I produce all of my items in Montvale, NJ USA studio.  I divide my time between the lathe and finishing at the workbench.

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