Window to a Sea Soul (The name could change)

The inspiration came from a sea shell, the mouth of the shell, this is all that was left after the water and waves had eroded the rest away. I picked the shell up whilst walking on our beach. Funny I lost the shell but remember the shape because it was very nice. The shape I've carved is not the same as the shell I remember.

Laminations

Spent the day thickness sanding laminations for curved legs on a coffee table for my exhibition. These laminations are made from jarrah, ranging from 400mm L - 1200mm L, sanded to 1.2mm W. Sanded 48 of these with the help of Sue standing on the other side of the thickness sander. Have them all wrapped in gladwrap weighted down ready for formers to be made. 
Setting up my spindle moulder as well, finally received the cutter block.  Hope to have this up and running by Saturday.

Turnfest Masters

Christian Delhon demystifying chinese balls.

Turnfest Masters

 Ken Wraight is such a precise turner and his attention to detail is second to none. This turned coach was a beautifully balanced piece.

Turnfest Masters

 Suellen and Binh

This is the magnificent piece that Sue didn't win, it resides in New Zealand now.......

Turnfest Masters

Eli Avisera and Binh Pho hamming it up for the camera. Two of the most influential turners of their time. Wonderfully talented gentlemen and nice as well. ( My wife wished to win the raffle, first prize Binh's piece. Instead Binh gave her a book, then she paid for his signature)

Turnfest Masters

Hi Sharon....
Sharon Doughtie, Christian Delhon with his wife

Turnfest Masters

Al Stirt this gentleman was someone whom I've admired his work all my turning years so to meet him was a real buzz.

Turnfest Masters

John van der kolk trying to hide behind goods in the tool shop a bit hard for a man who stands 6'7". What a great guy and an incredible carver.

John and myself 

Huon pine

Turnfest Masters

J Paul Fennell, what a true gentleman he is. I could sit and talk with this man all day and never once touch on wood.

Stood behind him at his tool shop demonstration at Turnfest, watching first hand his work. Liked the burrs he used and hope to acquire some.

Turnfest Masters

To meet international turners whom I've admired for years....... what can I say

Gordon Pembridge, check this guys work out, Magnificent! And what a great guy as well, we have a lot in common


http://www.timberly.co.nz/gordon.htm


If Gordon ever gets over to Western Australia to demonstrate, don't miss it.

Gordon's work is so fine and delicate, nearly paper thin 1mm and the detail and colour were outstanding.

Turnfest Masters

What a highlight, being invited to demonstrate with 39 turner/carvers from throughout the world at Sea World Gold Coast Australia.

Oh, and for the piece I was turning not to disintegrate 

Window to a Sea Soul (The name could change)

Couldn't resist taking a photograph showing close up view of cup burr embellishment

Window to a Sea Soul (The name could change)

Refined the spine a little with the shape improving

Window to a Sea Soul (The name could change)

A quarter of the way embellishing as this sculpture is to be viewed from both sides

Window to a Sea Soul (The name could change)

For the embellishment inside the frame I've used 4 different cup burrs leaving the largest cup burr open. 

Window to a Sea Soul (The name could change)

Now the shape has been achieved the embellishment begins. I'm using a pyrography machine to outline the shape

This becomes shading to frame the embellishment I'll design on the inside

A close up view of the shading

Window to a Sea Soul (The name could change)

The outside shape was to bulky, needed more of a sea shell look, decided to seek out  more shells I've collected and started carving again

This spine shape I hope will give this free standing piece more 3 D look

Parallel view

Window to a Sea Soul (The name could change)

While the weather is fine, it's Autumn here in Western Australia. I like to set my carving table outside and enjoy the warmth, no wind, no flies and the dust is not a problem.

Roughing out the 3D shape is easier using a drill with 5" sanding disk. This enables me to start getting movement into the piece

Window to a Sea Soul (The name could change)

My inspiration a shell from my local beach

Window to a Sea Soul (The name could change)

After marking out the basic shape I start the carving process. Not sure how this inside shape will look once finished I'll make adjustments as I progress

The board is not blemish free so have design opportunities to incorporate these knots and cracks into the finished sculpture. The knot on bottom right of photograph will be glued with colour and maybe if needed some embellishment with pyrography  

Here I've drawn the board centre to guide me when carving. I find myself immersed in the carving and things can get away. Big black lines remind me to stop.

Window to a Sea Soul (The name could change)

800mm H x 350 mm W
Goldfields redwood (Eucalyptus transcontinentalis) small to medium-sized tree or mallee widespread to the goldfields, endemic to Western Australia.
This piece was cut from a slab I was given by friends in Kalgoorlie after a demonstration I did. Thanks  all members of GSTIF (Goldfields Specialty Timber Industry Group)

Basic shape cut by bandsaw

Inside shape drawn 

The inside shape was cut out by drilling holes throughout the inside shape, then cutting with a jigsaw.

Starting basic carving