WoodbyDoug and Sandlapper Photography: A nice surprise, turning a Bald Cypress Goblet

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

A nice surprise, turning a Bald Cypress Goblet

Every now and then I get a pleasant surprise when I turn wood. The picture at the left is one of them.

Not quite a year ago I was given some Bald Cypress to turn. My one and only previous experience with Cypress was not that good. It a very soft wood and I was not too impress with it for use as a turning. When I got the cypress it had just been cut so I just seal the ends with sealer and left it to dry in my shop. Yesterday I decided to test it to see how much moisture was still in it. The meter show 7%. I was surprised it was that dry and still even more surpise that the cracking was not nearly as bad as I had expected that it would be.

So there was nothing to do except that I had to see how it would the wood would look and how much trouble I would get in warp-age or cracking after it was turn. Neither these presented a problem as I soon found out.

Since I did not think the wood would be good for turning I didn't take much care with finishing it and chose something simple to turn like a goblet. Well as I said I was pleasantly surprise and the wood did look better than expected and it turn very well. Makes me wish I had got more of it.

Well now that I know what to expect from the wood I will have to take more care and thought in design when I turning my next piece. I like nice surprises and this was one of them.

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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

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

A nice surprise, turning a Bald Cypress Goblet

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