Walnut Bowl or Platter

This is a Walnut piece that I really loved doing. It was one of the few pieces I've done that I actually liked sanding. With every step down in grit, more and more of the grain kept popping through. I wish the camera could capture all the chatoyance (sp?). It's everywhere. I thought of some embellishments, but just couldn't do it.
I got this wood from a big gun stock maker in Washington DC while visiting there. It was an ugly slab that he couldn't use because of cracks in the wrong places. Got it cheap and it had plenty of good wood for a turner.
It's 18" wide X 2.5" tall. Finished with Tung oil and Beall buffed.
Thanks for looking and all comments welcome, Don L.

Photo Details

Don Leydens

Don Leydens

Registered: August 2009
Location: Oxford, NC
Posts: 1,599

10

Date: Tue May 25, 2010
Views: 905
Keywords: walnut bowl or platter

Comments

David Seaba

Man Don that is a Outstanding piece of Walnut!! You did a great Job!! That is absolutly beuatful!!Love the shape! You could make some Great looking Duck Calls with some of the samll pieces All you need is 6" x 1 1/2" piece.

#1 Tue May 25, 2010 4:31pm

Don Leydens

Don Leydens

Many thanks, Dave.
I have some cut-offs from this piece if you'd like them. I don't turn small pieces, so I save them just for this sort of thing. Just let me know and I'll send them to you. Postage only of coarse.
Don L.

#2 Tue May 25, 2010 5:07pm

Makepeace

Leo Makepeace

Don,

STOP IT, too gud agen, my friend.

Ruining lots of good wood to get a few average bits.

#3 Tue May 25, 2010 9:06pm

Brian Higgins

excellent blend of incredible wood, and the perfect shape to showcase it. love it!

#4 Wed May 26, 2010 1:41am

Don Leydens

Don Leydens

Thank you, guys!

The only thing better than turning and sanding this one, was when I put the first coat of finish on it. I live for finding wood like this.

Don L.

#5 Wed May 26, 2010 12:47pm

Herb Hoover

That would be a WOW for sure. Herb

#6 Fri May 28, 2010 1:50am

Frank Reed

Can't beat the form and finish. Great work.

#7 Fri May 28, 2010 9:54pm

Robert Greene

Bob

Incredible wood. I am glad you're the person who found it - you did it justice. (And good word, chatoyance: I had to look it up.)
Bob

#8 Sun May 30, 2010 2:58pm

Brad Sears

Lovely piece and great photography, Don. The finish brings out the chatoyant depth in the wood without looking like plastic. Tough to pull off.

Similarly, I hear what you're saying about capturing the glow of deeply chatoyant wood is a real photographic challenge. One you met well, btw.

From a design perspective, I really like the undercut rim. And with that comes a question: what would you think about - on another piece - extending the undercut out toward the rim by - say - another inch or so to create a more enclosed form? It might be interesting dichotomy to experiment with the combination of a dramatically outflowing exterior with a "mysteriously" hidden interior. (Daggone: you're giving me some inspiration!)

BTW, did you buy the wood from Wayne Dunlap out by Dulles?

#9 Wed June 2, 2010 5:21pm

Don Leydens

Don Leydens

Hi Brad!
Thanks so much for the comments.
I did get the wood from Wayne's shop/warehouse in Dulles. I guess you know he's got a boat load of wood. Man, somebody stop me....hide the wallet, take the credit cards!!
On the undercut - I almost did do that and have some more of this wood that will probably get that treatment. It would have looked nice.
Can't wait to tackle the rest of that slab. It's such a pleasure working with wood like that. Being color blind, that grain and chatoyance is very exciting to me.
Thanks again for the comments,
Don L.

#10 Wed June 2, 2010 7:40pm

Brad Sears

Hey Don,
Just giving credit where deserved.

#11 Wed June 2, 2010 8:29pm