The Birth of a Bowl
The foraging for wood generally starts after windstorm, when a neighbor loses a tree to disease or when a treed area is being cleared for construction. Selected limbs and sections of the trunk are either turned to a finished bowl, referred to as green turned, rough turned, which is dried for months and then finish turned or stored for later consideration. When a bowl is turned green, it generally changes shape as it dries adding serendipitous to the piece. When a rough turned bowl is created, extra material is incorporated in the design, then it is dried; during which it distorts. Roundness, uniformity and intended design are created during the final turning. Once a bowl has been turned, it is sanded, and a preservative applied, all of which are safe for food contact.
The log has been cut in half lengthwise and the best use of is being determined.
Determination made and section has been divide into two.
A bowl blank has been created by cutting the corners off of a square to form an octagon, which is easier to turn. Then mounted on the lathe.
The bottom of the bowl is about to be formed.
The bottom was formed and then flipped and inserted into a holding chuck. Lastly, the bowl was hollowed.
Out of the chuck and drying. The bowl must be sanded and finished.