Curly Maple Vase #4

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687
Location
Harvey, Michigan
Managed to post when rushed for time - and true to form - posted in the wrong forum! Duh!

So, I am curious as to everyone's thoughts on this form - please let me know!

Curly Maple, 7 5/8" high x 4 3/4" diameter x 1/8" thick. Dyed with powdered RIT clothing dye (Scarlet) mixed with denatured alcohol (DNA), sanded to 600 grit and has several coats of gloss wipe-on poly. I will wait at least a week to buff and will use Renaissance wax as a final protective coat.

Curly Maple Vase #4 v1.jpg Curly Maple Vase #4 v2.jpg Curly Maple Vase #4 v3.jpg Curly Maple Vase #4 v4.jpg Curly Maple Vase #4 v5.jpg

As always, your comments, critiques and opinions are welcomed!

Thanks for looking! :wave:
 
I like it. It would look good with cut flowers in it.

Would you mind describing how you apply the RIT/DNA mixture? Is it wiped on the bare wood? Or was it added to a clear coat?
 
Beautiful wood and dye job, Steve. I'm still pondering the form. Great curves and lines...no reason not to like it other than it's not the same shape as everyone else is doing. And that's probably a good thing. ;)

In thinking about the form, I was trying to figure out what shapes it reminded me of. First thought was a drop of water. Second thought was if you stuck it on the end of a 4' long 2x2, you'd have a giant kitchen match. :D
 
Thanks everyone - for the kind words!

Vaughn - thought you might remember this form from something you posted quite a while ago. I sent you a group of photos of some southwest style vases - all of which were close to the same form you had just posted.

The form that I turned is my attempt at a southwest style vase - heavy Santa Clara influence and hopefully a tribute to the Tafoya family of potters. There are some photos of their work online - check it out:
http://www.askart.com/askart/t/margaret_maria_tafoya/margaret_maria_tafoya.aspx
http://www.adobegallery.com/artist.php?artist_id=71
http://www.google.com/images?q=marg...&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1274&bih=892
 
You have that dyeing down very well. When you resand the piece do you put it back on the lathe. Maybe a jam chuck?
Dennis
 
Alan - I mix the powdered RIT dye with DNA (denatured alcohol) and stir it up pretty good. It doesn't want to dissolve totally - but works just fine. Using a 1" foam brush, saturate the turning with the dye and allow to dry. Sand back the slightly raised grain and apply finish or apply another dye and create something really different.

Dennis - once I start the dying process - all sanding is by hand. Takes longer but you have control over which areas get sanded back and which areas to leave with a deeper dye coloring. Learned the hard way that when you power sand on the lathe - it does a great job but removes way to much of the wood - and in this case - coloring.
 
Thanks everyone - for the kind words!

Vaughn - thought you might remember this form from something you posted quite a while ago. I sent you a group of photos of some southwest style vases - all of which were close to the same form you had just posted.

The form that I turned is my attempt at a southwest style vase - heavy Santa Clara influence and hopefully a tribute to the Tafoya family of potters. There are some photos of their work online - check it out:
http://www.askart.com/askart/t/margaret_maria_tafoya/margaret_maria_tafoya.aspx
http://www.adobegallery.com/artist.php?artist_id=71
http://www.google.com/images?q=marg...&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1274&bih=892

I had noticed the similarity to some of the pueblo shapes I'd seen, but your piece has a less pronounced transition into the neck. Yours has a much smoother flow...a great teardrop effect. Kind of a modern interpretation of the classic pottery forms. Despite my smarty pant comments about the match, I really do like this piece. :thumb:
 
Steve, I have to say I like all of your curly maple vases. The dye jobs look great too. And, to my eye the finish is coming across very nice even though not yet buffed.
I've not used wipe on poly, I'm familiar with the wipe on GEL poly, but it is only available - at least where I normally shop - in semi gloss. So, I guess my question is; what brand(s) have you used, and is it made to be wiped on or is it regular brush on that you just wipe instead?

Thanks
 
Ken - there are a number of brands out there but I have been using Minwax Wipe-On Gloss Poly. It's just thinned down poly which you can do yourself with a little mineral spirits.
 
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