Description
This Conga Drum Vase is end grain of an apple log. The size is 10 by 6.5 tapering to 4 inches at the base. Each section features a different pyrography symbol. One quarter of the surface remains untouched leaving a river shape in the grain of the wood. This piece is made very early during my wood turning journey has three raised rings, pyrography for texture and black stain. Here is another wood vase with pyrography symbols. Genesis Wood Vase.
Pyrography
Pyrography is a wood burning technique for decorating wood or leather. A red hot tip of metal brands the wood as it touches the surface. You may remember doing this at camp or as a Scout with a tool that looked like a soldering iron. The results were usually terrible as the wattage was not powerful. Today Makers are doing incredible illustration with these tools. I use them to develop texture on a surface. Here is a link if you want to learn more and buy some terrific tools. I use these tools.
Creative Time
Someone may ask how long it takes to complete a piece like this. There is no easy way to answer as it is a process for me and not a production job where time is a critical factor. Each piece that I make brings with it new knowledge and improved skill sets. To say the piece took 2 1/2 hours is a disservice to the artist. Should we not consider the time it takes for learning, for failures, for experimenting?
Studio
I design and produce all my art in my Montvale, New Jersey, USA studio. To produce the Conga Drum Vase my primary tool is the wood lathe the shape the form. Then I spend a great deal of time at the studio bench doing secondary operations that include sanding, pyrography and applying stain