What is a hollow form? It is a form of wood sculpture, somewhat popular in woodturning. Think of a wood vessel or pot. They are made by turning a block of wood on a lathe, creating a form or shape and hollowing out the inside. Some are segmented, which are lots of blocks of wood glued together to make a …
Cutting Wood Threads on a Lathe by Hand
Several years ago I learn the process of cutting wood threads on a lathe. This allows me to make sealed hollow vessels and is one of the quality features on my urns. I make wood finials out of Blackwood and Persimmon to seal the urn vessel opening. Sometimes the cutting of threads in wood is called thread chasing. I do …
A Rare Find – Unique Story of a Large Magnolia
From time to time I come across wood that has a nice history. Such is the case of a large magnolia tree that I acquired from St. Paul’s Episcopal in Edenton, North Carolina. Magnolia (magnolia grandiflora) is a species that is typically long lived and very robust, not often dropped by strong storms. My experience also shows it to be …
Expanding the Artistic Viewpoint – Answering Questions of Why?
The artist statement – a short written statement that helps the artist express themselves and explain their interests and viewpoints (such as mine https://vanduynwoodwork.com/about/). My first experiences with the “statement” came more as a requirement for juried shows, galleries, and exhibit submissions. So from the beginning it was treated more as an attachment to a professional artists resume. I entered …
Ben Owen III – Collection of Spalted Pecan Hollow Forms
I was fortunate enough to run into Ben Owen III at the Winter Show (Greenhill, center for NC arts) this past December, both he and I were participating in that exhibit. Ben, very generously, offered me some of a pecan tree that he had on his property that was taken down some time ago. I believe that his grandfather was …
