2/12/2006.

The creating of

“Smoke, Wind and Fire”

 

This piece is being carved from a piece of Box Elder that has been laying around my shop for 3 or 4 years. It’s the last piece that I have from a tree I cut down on a friend’s property that was growing too close to his driveway. Box Elder is in the Maple family and is known for its red streaks caused by insect damage. It has also spalted some which causes a light grey color in some areas of the wood. This piece gets its name from the woods red and grey coloring and the swirling shape I am carving it into.

 

Photo #1

Early stages.

 

2/19/2006
Photo #2

After initial turning.

This is the point where I would normally start hollowing the piece out but this wood is fairly dry and I don't have to worry about cracking too much. I will start the carving on this one now because it will give me more freedom with the design and the depth of cuts. If the wood is still wet and I leave it solid for too long it is very likely to crack before I get the carving done.

2/20/2006

Photo #3

Design sketched onto wood.

The swirling design on this piece will be similar to a previous piece called "Wind Dancer" . I associate the design on this piece with the effects of the wind on smoke and fire and the swirling patterns that it creates.

2/22/2006
 

Photo #4

Early stages of exterior carving.

I carve the flutes in the wood using high-speed power carving tools to rough in the shape. It is all done freehand without the use of any jigs or routing attachments.

2/23/2006
Photo #5

Exterior carving almost complete.

I feel that carving the piece free hand with a few guide lines roughly outlining the pattern gives a much more organic free flowing design.

3/15/2006
Photo #6

Defining the top lip of the piece.

I have removed the excess wood at the top of the piece and have hollowed down about 4” so I can start shaping the top lip. In this photo I have carved about a quarter of the way around the top lip.

2/20/2006
3/18/2006
Photo #7

Final shaping of the top lip.

I have carved all of the way around the piece and have defined the final shape of the top lip.

Photo #8

Carving the interior.

 

In this photo I have hollowed down to the finished depth using my lathe and have started carving the inside spirals with my flex shaft power carver.

 
3/25/2006

Photo #9

Final carving of the interior.

In this photo I have finished the interior carving.  It still requires sanding to a final grit of 600.

 
3/25/2006

Smoke, Wind and Fire is complete

You can find the finished piece here

Smoke, Wind and Fire