Attention was diverted for quite some time.  I invite you to visit Artists for Empty Bowls for a look at my current focus.

A bit late in posting, but here is the manzanita burl you last saw in work on my lathe.

It's 16" x 14" x 5" and available at the Paul Baliker Gallery in the Hammock.

Here it comes again - Manzanita Work-in-Progress

I have a couple of burls left and this one is coming along nicely.

1st Place Winner

I am very pleased to report that "Manzanita Fountain" was judged the 1st Place winner in 3D Art at the Flagler County Art League yesterday in their 2012 Spring Show in the Main Gallery.

Manzanita Fountain (My Bowl Runeth Over)

One of my three entries in the Flagler County Art League 2012 Spring Gallery Show.

I'm looking forward to the reception tonight.

Live Oak Bark Edge Bowls

I was looking at a house for sale and noticed a fellow across the street using a power pruner to cut up a live oak trunk about 8" in diameter.  "Ah Ha!" I thought, knowing I was running short of fresh turning stock.  It turned out he was not cutting it up for firewood and was something of a woodturner himself, but was spending most of his time on other projects.  A few minutes later it was in the back of my pickup and on its way home.

Here's the result so far... about a dozen bark edge bowls drying and nearly ready to sand and finish.

More Manzanita Root Burls Finished

Finished three more manzanita root burl turnings.  Two are suspended bowls, and one is somewhat more conventional.  The natural beauty of this wood is absolutely terrific!

Purple Heart for Valentine's Day

It's almost Valentine's Day, and a couple of "Wish Boxes" from purple heart and camphor seemed like a good idea.

Time to Cleanup!

When I get a load of fresh turning stock it's best to take care of it right away to avoid checks and cracks.  When that time happens it produces a lot more than a few rough turned bowls.

Mulch for the Garden Paths

Box Elder Bowl

Box elder, a type of maple with little or no commercial value, often has some spectacular red coloring that most associate with the tree's response to injury from the box elder beetle.  What you need to know if you collect work made from box elder is that the spectacular red color is photo reactive and will fade in ultraviolet light.

You can read more in the documents on my website.  RickUrbanWoodturner.com

This is a recently finished textured bowl about 8" in diameter with a bit of turquoise filling a natural void.  It is available for sale.

Manzanita Burl Mini Winged Bowl

Remember those manzanita root burls?  Here's the first mini installment.

Mini winged bowl 6" x 5" x 1"

I told you they would yield something pretty good.  I hope you agree. 

Sweetgum from the Woodturning Archives

From the 2010 archives this vessel was turned from spalted sweetgum from north Georgia.  It's approximately 11" in diameter and  is turned cross grain (with the log chunk spinning end over end).  Natural cracks were filled with black tinted epoxy and the rim was textured before finishing with lacquer.

Springtime Sunrise

It's a bit rainy today, so an earlier springtime sunrise seemed like a good idea.

Manzanita Root Burls

Here's what's coming from  Rick Urban in Flagler Beach...

When the fires were ravaging southern California these were some of the victims: manzanita root burls.  I don't like to think about what they cost (including shipping) or the trouble involved in turning them, but they will yield something absolutely spectacular!  Stay tuned.

Salt Boxes

Fresh off the lathe in Flagler Beach.

A View from Titan

Just finished 

"A View from Titan" 

17" x 4" cherry bowl with texturing and turquoise inlay.

Carpe Diem - January 22, 2012

What a great way to start the day!

Wedding Gifts

Finished a couple of spring wedding gifts.  Oil finished and ready for generations of service.  Hope they like them!

Cherry from north Georgia.
14 3/4" x 3"

Cherry from north Georgia.

 13 1/4" x 3"

From the Scrapbook - Appreciation

If you want to feel appreciated...

...demonstrate woodturning for some 6th and 7th graders.  Look at their faces!

Small Boxes 101 (final part 3)

Time to finish those small boxes we left on the shelf.

Mount the bottom on the fixture sized for the opening.  If it's too loose just shim it with a piece (or two) of paper towel.







When it's almost finished, remove the tail stock for complete access to the bottom for finishing.  An unfinished bottom is a show stopper for anyone looking for quality in turned work.

Enjoy!