Drivel Starved Nation!
Before I share the fruits of today’s field trip, I want to thank all of you who have offered me congratulations and encouragement on the transition of Bridge City Tool Works to Harvey Industries. This is a friendly reminder that I am still going to be around for the next two years so I am not dead yet.
And on behalf of Consuelo, thank you for the flowers and kind words as she transitions to become a stay-at-home Mom.
I will address the many questions that have been asked sometime next week.
The national conference for the American Association of Woodturners landed in Portland this year. So, this morning I headed over to the Convention Center to see all of the pieces from around the world. Some of the work is mind boggling. The pics below are from my phone and are of pieces that caught my eye. One of them I adopted (somebody in my house has a birthday in two weeks…) and will pick it up on Sunday when the show shuts down. It was a fun morning and I hope you enjoy this little sampler I put together.
Can you guess which one I adopted?
-John
I’m guessing the light grey, leave carved one with the ebony temple like handle on top.
They all are so nice, wood turning is such a creative field; I really should fire up the lathe more often.
Nope, but I like that one. BTW, the first pic of the pierced piece with all the crazy circles was $4500. That is a lot for sure, but it should be 10k! How the heck was that made?????
John
Unless someone else has copied his style, the work in the top pic is by Hans Weissflog of Germany, who specializes in multiaxis turnings and other incredibly feats. Truly spectacular stuff. He and his son, Jakob, are well worth a Googling.
https://vimeo.com/210844035
Fantastic work! ANY of those would be great to own.
I am guessing the third from the last piece that looks to be wenge and maple – with the slatted turning.
What an amazing exhibit!
YES!
You are amazing old wise one with the powdered wig!
How did you know this? You never cease to amaze!
-John
No, not the third from the bottom. BUT, you are really getting warm…
Thank you. Feeling is mutual. 🙂
I haunt museums, galleries, and other places where pretty things reside, including the Center for Art in Wood in Philly. I saw some of his work there a few years ago and was fascinated and looked it up. The style (and name) is distinct enough to remember.
What interests me is the precision. So hard!
I really like going to shows like this and being humiliated intectually. And then getting pissed off. And then getting inspired! Being human is ultimately the most competitive endeavor, if perused in a healthy manner…
Thanks so much for sharing your insights!
John
Pshaw.
I wouldn’t know where to begin in turning these pieces!
Definitely humbling.
THAT is Museum quality, John!
Thanks for sharing John – these are all incredible – quite inspiring. I think I’ll have to make the effort to attend one of these conferences sometime. I really like them all, but especially the second one which certainly falls into the how did they do that category.
Thanks
Kevin
Definitely worth seeing!
So, any turning in the future of the the tool potentate? They make real good dust hoods these days.
Wow! I’m envious of the beauty you had at hand. What an amazing day.
I recall seeing a piece at The Real Mother Goose similar in style to that first one. I remain amazed. So much scope for screwing up when you’re almost finished.
I think that dark black one with the iridescent orangey circles would look great in your house…
– Peter
Rutager, I sold my lathe to Dave at Blue Spruce years ago.
John