Screen Shots from the Internet
Recognizing Pleasing Shapes
First you learn how to mount the wood into the lathe so it doesn’t fly out and break your nose. Then you figure out how to remove material without getting earth shattering catches. Then you gain insight into cutting more cleanly so you sand less and don’t have to start with 60 grit. On to picking the finish – lacquer, oil, wax??? Finally you wonder why such a beautiful piece of wood looks funny. You missed it with the shape.
Over the centuries, certain shapes have become classic because they are universally appealing. They always work regardless of the material, wood, ceramic, clay, metal, it doesn’t matter. A pleasing shape is always a pleasing shape. And something which looks dumpy and out of proportion always looks that way.
Training your eye to recognize what make a pleasing shape takes patience and study. Here is where the internet is extraordinarily helpful. Caution! Not all pieces offered in art galleries or on store shelves are pleasing shapes just begging to be emulated.
Yes, there are books by the dozen and articles by the score. If you want to develop this critical skill, it will take some study. Two books I found particularly helpful were:
500 Raku: Bold Explorations of a Dynamic Ceramics Technique (500 Series) Paperback – March 1, 2011 by Ray Hemachandra
500 Wood Bowls: Bold & Original Designs Blending Tradition & Innovation (500 Series) Paperback – September 1, 2004 by Lark Books (Editor)
I would be remiss if I failed to mention the importance of the Golden Mean Ratio 1:1.618, but that is another whole discussion.
Each time you set out to turn another project, pause for a moment and try to visualize the classic shape which lies within that lump of wood. You might include voids as the shape allows, but the basic shape will still show through. If you have an idea of where you would like to end up, getting there is much easier. Study it for a moment or two, pick a classic shape and work toward liberating that shape from the rest of the wood. Life isn’t as hard as some of us make it out to be because wherever you go, there you are.
Here is my inspiration for this week’s message:
Prov 18:13 MSG Answering before listening is both stupid and rude.
Job 15:7 MSG Do you think you're the first person to have to deal with these things? Have you been around as long as the hills?
Proverbs 29:20 MSG Observe the people who always talk before they think - even simpletons are better off than they are.
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