turning of the week

It is very challenging to choose a turning of the week. A quick glance at the forum and you will see many artistic and technical masterpieces. Any number of them would be suitable for this feature. Then there are other pieces with great stories attached that highlight the generosity and...

Whenever I search for the turning of the week, I look for something that conveys a message or feeling that demands closer inspection. I found that and more in an example of the maker's ability to think well outside the "round and brown" box ... something that really "resonated" both emotionally...

I love it when picking the TOTW is easy. Kevin Jesequel's work, "Fiddleback Maple" is a beautifully designed hollow form. As Bill Boehme said to Kevin, "I'm amazed that you can hollow it through such a tiny opening". Even if he had painted it black, I would still have chosen it as TOTW. The...

My selection for Turning of the Week for November 13, 2023 is "Pierced Holly Bowl" by Lou Jacobs. Lou has turned a nicely formed little bowl with some tasteful piercing. This is his third attempt at piercing – with major improvements in each version, IMHO. The pierced pattern on this one also...

Although there has been some absolutely outstanding embellished turnings as of late, I had pre-planned to pick something that exemplifies pure turning skills....the very heart of what it means to be a wood lathe turner. Here we have an example of a vessel that's been turned on the exterior, as...

My choice for Turning of the Week beginning Monday, October 9, 2023 is "Chock Full of Nuggets" by David Bartell. David has succeeded in the challenging task of producing a body of work that is instantly recognizable as his own. His signature vessels are made in the Southwestern style, and often...

My choice for Turning of the Week for September 18, 2023, is “Stardust” by Greg Gallegos. I kept coming back to look at this piece. It has it all going for it in my book. It has a great form (perfect egg shape), great color (natural walnut vs. acrylics), multiple textures (smooth vs. carved)...

I never thought picking out a TOTW would be so difficult when I signed on for this! There has been so many fabulous embellished turnings posted in the past few weeks, that they make this choice difficult......and those great works of art tend to overshadow the few "pure" turned pieces we see...

My selection for turning of the week is OUROBOROS by Heather Marusiak. This sculptural turning seems to jump off the screen demanding to be more closely seen. A stunning flow of curves, scale like textures, and colors. A moving creature frozen in time with light playing off the surfaces. The...

Curt Fuller creates many forms using the basket of illusions in his work. I am familiar with Curt's work, and it is important to note that all of Curt's pieces start with a well-turned form. It cannot be repeated enough, that no amount of surface embellishment, or artwork, regardless of how...

My choice for Turning of the Week beginning Monday, August 14, 2023 is “Red Oak Vessel" by Kevin Jesequel. Kevin’s hollow forms are textbook. His curves are always continuous and his openings narrow. I appreciate his well-formed necks/rims, as well as his typically small bases that give lift to...

My selection for TOTW for the week of August 7, 2023, is "Blackened Oak Bowl" by Marc Banka. From the moment that I first laid eyes on this absolutely stunning bowl, I knew that Marc Banka had made my task this week a "no-brainer". This bowl immediately invites being held and imagining the...

The competition was tough tonight. But, in the end, I have a unanimous winner; his work checked all the boxes and then some. "Pumpkin" by Sid Bright caught my attention immediately. Well executed, meticulously turned, and put together flawlessly. I enjoy seeing work that is not just another...

My choice for Turning of the Week for July 24, 2023 is “Fragmented Recovery” by Michael Anderson. This is an interesting concept to meet the SWT imposed challenge requirements and it was done very creatively and artistically. I really like the burned texture on the interior, and the base...

To define this style properly, I think Art Deco would be correct.....what do you think? Anyway, my thoughts on this piece are this has great artistic value, and David Bushman's "Victory Vase" is my choice for this week's turning of the week. -o-

I love it when it is my turn to choose the TOTW, and one piece stands out, making the choice much easier. That being said, I had a list of several pieces as finalists, but in the end, I kept going back to "The Seabed in the Eye of My Mind" by David Senecal. I have spent countless hours diving in...

When looking for this week’s featured turning, I wanted to choose a turning that was not only well done with great attention to detail, but also one that pushed the boundary of the envelope a bit beyond the norm. Well, when I saw "The Perfect Cast" by Don Frank I knew that was it. This...

My choice for Turning of the Week for May 29th, 2023 is “Rocking Bowl” by James Seyfried. This sizable piece has it all going for it. Great walnut crotch figure, fine turning, and flawless finish … and, it looks like a guitar! The small bowl and subtle double inlay add to the illusion. Great...

My choice for TOTW for May 22, 2023 is Gabriel Hoff's "Elegant Ogee Bowl". Simple, but very elegant finely executed shape, mated with exceptional burl....a combination that excels! -o-

My selection for Turning of the Week of May 15, 2023, is “First Light, First Song" by Ronald Campbell. This is the latest in a series of bird sculptures that Ronald has posted this year. Earlier ones include “Chicklet” and “Looney Bird”. Skillfully carved and painted into a wonderful blend...