Hands

[jpt]

I thought it was about time I showed some more of my work.

This is the latest in my natural edged Chestnut Burr series. It is 8" wide by 7" tall and finished with shellac sanding sealer and wax.

This one definatlly spoke to me as I was turning it so I changed the design and I have given it a name HANDS.

Comments and critique welcome.







A view of the inside



john

 

[Paul.J]

Absolutely stunning looking piece there John,and aptly named i think
Looks to be very well finished.
Only crit i'd have is i think i would have made the base area narrower so it would look more like a pair of wrists together to match the name the piece :?
But still a beautiful looking piece.

 

[mikec]

Hi John,

Agree with Pauls comment about the base but that is minor, the piece is fabulous

Definitely a feeling of cupped hands there

Regards,

Mike C

 

[mrs. sliver]

excellent!! a real stunner! =D>

 

[johnny.t.]

Hi John, very nice piece and it certainly has the look of hands 8)

I would have to agree with others about the base looking too wide, but that is the only criticism, the timber is lovely and the finish looks great. It must have taken a fair bit of skill and care turning it as it looks like it could fly apart easily. Good work

Did you also partly name it 'hands' as it injured yours whilst turning it :lol:


JT

 

[CHJ]

Attractive looking piece john, did you hollow first then finish the outside or did you work both as you progressed towards the base?

 

[jpt]

HI

Thanks for the comments.

I agree about the base but in the original design the top was going to flare out from the midway point and end up about 3" wider, when I changed it I forgot to reduce the base, but it does give it stability.

Chas, I turned the outside first with it mounted on a face plate then turned it round and hollowed the centre. After I had finished the outside I took it off the lathe and was about to remove the face plate when I saw the potential for this shape so put it back on and altered it.

Most of the hollowing was done with the large monro, I used to do them with a bowl gouge but it is a lot easier now.

john

EDIT: forgot to add I still have all mt fingers and thumbs and no cuts, this time.

 

[Bodrighy]

Just a thought: what doesn't work about the base is that it seems to suddenly stop. Try getting a piece of wood slightly wider and making a base then ebonising it. It may just be what is needed to finish it off. Don't glue at first and if it doesn't work nothing lost.

Pete

 

[Jenx]

Hi John, its a fantastic looking piece , in timber we don't see all that often, and the title is perfect for it.
It really does resemble upward facing cupped hands.

Excellent finish on it too...
A real pleasure to see.. lovely !
8)

 

[TEP]

Lovely work John, and gorgeous timber.

Pity it couldn't be remounted and just curve the bottom in a little, wouldn't need much, just round the hard corner under a bit and leave a small foot of a one or two 'mm' height.

 

[cornucopia]

hi John this is a stunning piece of timber which would have been a challenge to turn which you have manged to do really well... but the form of the piece is very poor imo- the base does not need to be wide as this is not a functional piece- there is no flow to the outside curve, it loks clumsy.

i'm sorry if this reads harsh but it is my honest opinion. if you've enjoyed turning it and like it who cares what others say.

best wish's
george

 

[Paul.J]

Cornucopia wrote

but the form of the piece is very poor imo- the base does not need to be wide as this is not a functional piece- there is no flow to the outside curve, it loks clumsy.

i'm sorry if this reads harsh but it is my honest opinion. if you've enjoyed turning it and like it who cares what others say.

Blimey George,are you taking over Soulflys spot :lol: :lol:

 

[jpt]

HI George

No problem with your comments all honest opinions good or bad are always welcome.

I usually try for more organic flowing curves but on this piece I was going for something different. That of a pair of hands pointing upwards with the wrists together and the hands cupped with the fingers spread. I think I caught the shape well and most people who have seen it, especially those who picked it up, have got the shape immediately without prompting.

I agree about the base and I was thinking of remounting it and trying to reduce it slightly, not much wood left to do this though. But last night I got a phone call from a couple who saw it at a show a few days ago and want to buy it, so it looks like it will be going this weekend.

As for wether a piece is functional or not that is a different subject, one set of bowls I was commisioned to turn for a medieval reeactment group out of oak without a finish have never been used they just sit on a display and I was asked to turn another set for them to use.

On the other side I have seen a hollow form like the ones you turn with a very small base used as a vase for bull rushes, you can just never tell what people will do.

I did enjoy turning it as I enjoy all my turning be it a one off piece or a batch of a hundred light pulls, I think the day I stop enjoying it will be the day I give it up.

john

 

[Ligget]

That is one spectacular piece of work, hopefully I can turn something that good one day!

 

[user 5053]

A nice rustic, fairly saleable piece. Really its just a matter of taste. Definately worth wearing a face mask when doing this sort of work in case it flies apart. I was a bit worried when he titled it hands.

 

[big soft moose]

Cornucopia wrote

but the form of the piece is very poor imo- the base does not need to be wide as this is not a functional piece- there is no flow to the outside curve, it loks clumsy.

i'm sorry if this reads harsh but it is my honest opinion. if you've enjoyed turning it and like it who cares what others say.

Blimey George,are you taking over Soulflys spot :lol: :lol:

to be fair i kind of agree with george - its very nicely turned but imo slightly let down by the form.

In my opinion its the transition from base to curve which is the problem - if you look at the second picture down is seems to me that the curve should follow smoothly through to the base rather than transitioning to a vertical.

that said its a minor point and the piece is definitely still saleable - at the end of the day this kind of thing is largely a matter of opinion and personal preference.