WoodbyDoug and Sandlapper Photography: 11/2/08

Monday, November 3, 2008

My first Native American style Flute

Well I think this is just about done. It looks kind of nice to me but I don't know how it sounds. I mean I can make noises with it but how in the heck do I make it sound like music instead of a Owl screeching.

I am sure it needs some tuning but that I don't know how to do either. I want to learn now to play it. On my internet search everyone that makes flutes says it is easy to play even it one does not know anything about music. Well they never heard of me and I am not in the least bit musical inclined. I started to playing it but my two dogs ran in the corner of the room and covered their ears up with their paws, it is that bad.

I like the sound of this kind of flute and I really like to learn how to play it if I am not too dumb to learn. First I have to learn how to tune it or find someone that knows how it suppose to sound. Then I have to convince them to teach me how to play it. I know I wishing for a lot, more than you know

I have one more flute that I have started to make but I first want to learn more about how to make it sound good. This is necessary for me to know just how much wood needs to be removed when drilling the tuning holes and making sound chamber. It sure would help me if I knew a little more about music. Any volumteers.

Comments are very welcome, Just hit the comment button at the bottom and say some nice things.

A couple of months ago I watch a demostration at the Waxhaw woodturners club meeting about making teapots. Raymond Overman demostrated how he makes teapots.

Based on the knowledge I gain from his demostration I made my first teapot as picture here. It really is simple teapot as I just wanted to get the technique of making it down pat. It is a little to plain so I may add some kind of designs either carved or burned on each side of the teapot to make it a little more interesting.

Raymond did a very good job of explaining how to do it and I sure do thank him. I always anxious to learn new techniques in woodturning.

I added some pyrograhics to the teapot. This is something that I have never tried before. Well I guess you can tell.

Artist Statement

Artist: Douglas M. Smith

Medium: Wood/ Stone

Email Address: woodbydoug@msn.com

Studio’s Name: Wood By Doug

Trademark: Wonderful Out of Ordinary Designs by Doug

Birthdate: 4/2/1942

Please describe your craft:

The wooden bowls and vases I create are made from exotic woods selected from the four corners of the world. I also use domestic woods that highlight one of a kind grain patterns and alabaster stones that are native to Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. The uniqueness of color, grain pattern and textures inspire me to turn by lathe truly one of a kind pieces. I obtain wood and stone in its raw form, study the grain patterns and color variances and turn on a lathe the raw wood or stone into a unique bowls or vases.

How did you get started in your craft?

Sometime ago my wife gave me a router for Christmas. I had no other wood working tools and wondered what I could make with just a router. After researching the many different projects that I could create I stumbled upon a wooden bowl project that was truly beautiful. I told my wife “I can do that!” This inspired me to purchase more wood working tools, including a wood turning lathe. With practice, I slowly began to learn new turning techniques that ultimately allowed me to create the beautiful bowl that first inspired me. More researching on wood turning allowed me to create more intricate bowls and vases. If wood can be turned, why not stone? I researched stone turning techniques as well, allowing me to create turned Alabaster bowls and vases too. I told my wife “I can do that” and so began my venture into wood turnings, which is now my passion.

What inspires your work?

To pick up a piece of wood or stone in its raw form does not allow a person to see the beauty within it. When I look at a piece of wood or stone, I study it, I look at the shape, the color, the many attributes of the piece. I’m inspired by removing the mask that Nature has placed on many woods and stones. As a result of unmasking wood or stone on a lathe, the beauty within is visible. Mother Nature has challenged me to unmask the stunning colors, shapes and grains hidden by her. To expose the true beauty of a piece of wood or stone in an art form that is graceful and unique is very satisfying to me. This satisfaction drives me to continuously learn and look for methods that will make my work ever more beautiful and unique.

What would you like your customers to know about you?

Most of my career has been in the metal working industry where I worked as a Tool and Die Maker and then as a Manufacturing Engineer. The experiences that I have gained as a Tool and Die Maker and as an Engineer have allowed a much easier transition to the wood/stone turning processes.

All work and no play makes Doug a dull artisan. To avoid this from happening, when I can, I often travel to the Great Smokey Mountains to revel in nature’s back yard. I love to be near Nature. It is here where I am most at peace. I am currently creating many art pieces from turned wood and stone on a full time basis and enjoying life to the fullest!

Recognitions

When I was first selected by the South Carolina Artisan Center to be one of the particapting artist I had to first have my work juried before I was accepted. A couple of years later all the artist had to resubmit work to be juried again in order to stay in the Artisan Center. I wasn't sure about having to have my work juried again but I was surprised with the following email with the jury results of my work.

Congratulations! The jurors for the 2006 Jury Review for the South Carolina Artisans Center have selected you as one of our most outstanding artists in the gallery! We are proud to count you among our exhibiting artists and look forwardto great success in our new retail gallery opening this summer. Sincerely, The Board of DirectorsThe SC Artisans CenterDavid Smalls, Chairman

Monday, November 3, 2008

My first Native American style Flute

What a day for Fishing

Sunset