Originally rough-turned by my father-in-law, Rick Barrell, this maple bowl has emerged as a blend of organic shapes and textures. The original design was quite different. The natural curves and waves of the exterior were intended to contrast with the less organic circular portals that literally chained the bowl together (the circular portals were going to have wooden chains strung through them). Unfortunately, the chains you see in the photos below (scroll way down) did not work out as planned. Although I've carved chains of this size before, the shape of the bowl worked against me in this case, and working within the interior of the bowl proved impossible. After breaking two links, I decided to save my chain carving skills for another project.
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No more chains. Unfortunately I wasn't able to loosen the links on the interior side of the bowl without breaking several. There is a lesson in this. Small chains are hard enough to carve without limiting your access to them by putting
them in a bowl. Anyhow, the project continues....unchained. |
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| Progression: chains become more detailed, everything a bit smoother. |
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| If you've been following the progress of this piece, you may notice that the chains are starting to take more noticeable form in the circular portals. I have also been working to create more texture on the surface of the bowl. Carving the smaller holes and deepening the wrinkles creates more shadows that capture the eye. |
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| The chains quickly take form as the spaces between them are carved away. Note the crack on the chain all the way to the left. I noticed the cracking of the wood early and planned the structure of the chain so that it would fall on only one link. I will have to make sure to round out and smooth each link before I separate them completely because they will be far more difficult to smooth out and shape once they are flopping all over. |
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| Maple bowl ~12" diameter. The line of wood that cuts through each of the circles in the outer walls of the bowl will be carved into chains. The circles themselves will be carved to form man-made "hubs" that contrast with the organic exterior of the rest of the bowl. |
Will Worsnopp, Dickinson College, Bronx High School of Science, Sidney Central School, carving, powercarver, Will Worsnopp, Dickinson College, Bronx High School of Science, Sidney Central School, carving, powercarver, MATSL, Bennington College,
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