AAW January 2011 Contest - Results!
AAW Forum Suspended Form Contest
From Neil Scobie
General Comment
When I wrote the project story on suspended forms, I had hoped that it would give inspiration to the possibilities that could be used to create suspended forms. Also with Betty Scarpino’s gallery at the end of the story there was lots of creative incentive for readers. With the response to this competition I can see that my wishes have come to realisation. Congratulations to all those turners who have entered, there are some great pieces shown and such a wide range of possibilities, I also hope that any constructive criticism given is taken in the manner which it is given, only to help improve newer pieces.
Dale Miner
1. Maple Burl Urn. Dale this is a good piece, I like the way you have “blued†the steel legs and have obviously spent many hours on the piece. If I was to suggest an improvement it would be the make the urn slightly taller and legs slightly narrower.
2. Suspended Walnut Egg. Again Dale another great piece, the fluting and join of the lid look to add a real quality to the piece. Well done.
Rick Crawford
Western Red Form
Rick this is well done, as a beacher walker myself, I can see that you would have searched your creative side to find a use for such organic found pieces. The shell form is not overstated which I feel adds to the overall piece. I agree with you about not putting a finish on the piece as it would have spoilt it. Standing 40†high it will need a special place in someone’s home.
Bill Beck
1 Oak Piece
Bill you obviously had a lot of fun with both your pieces, both pieces seem whimsical and entertaining. If I could offer some constructive criticism, maybe fewer elements or fewer parts could make this piece more successful. It is hard to see a focal point on this piece. I can see that they are both well made, well done.
2 Pear and Polar
I like this piece better as my eye is drawn to the detail inside and I like the use of the natural edge on the opening.
Alan Carter
Proud Mary Alan this is a great piece technically and aesthetically. Firstly I like the title and the song so that is a good start. You certainly have some detail in the pieced section giving it a good focal point. I like the elevation that the stand gives and the simple suspension of the turned form. Well done
Pins and Needles
Alan this is another excellent piece with great attention to detail. I like the laminated veneer stand, but I feel that it would be more successful without the “tray†under the stand. Only an opinion of course. Well done on the quality of the piece.
Charlie Knighton
Charlie well done on this piece, I like the overall shape of the turned section, I think you have got the profile right. It is hard to see with one photo view, but I am not sure what is happening with the back leg. The front two seem to flow well so well done.
Rmuniak
I like this piece; it is a bit of fun. I like the way you have layered the centre piece and the petals coming out of the centre. I can appreciate what has been involved in making the piece, all that work. It seems to flow together well and shows a high level of technical skill. If I had a constructive critical comment, maybe it would be that there is a bit too much gloss on the petal. Well done.
Robert Davis
Liberty Bell
Well done Robert you certainly have made a suspended form. Having visited the Liberty Bell in 2006, while on The International Exchange I can appreciate the history behind the Liberty Bell. Your piece while it seems historical maybe next time you could use a bit of artistic licence to add some of your own design elements. Still keep the general bell theme but maybe design a new stand and hanging system. Well done on this piece.
Walt
Walt, it is good to see you using good Aussie wood. You have done well with this piece, it is a good form and I like the way you have offset the opening. I think you have got the shape of the form spot on. My only piece advice on improvement would be that maybe the legs could be made out of slightly thinner steel. Maybe 3/16†drawn out would have looked a bit more balanced. This is only an opinion.
Arnward
Ring of the lords
I like the name and can see it is a great piece with quality written all over it. I am impressed by the idea of suspending the box with a magnet, that sounds like it would be excellent being able to rotate and swing. I can see that you have had a lot of fun with the offset turning as well. My only concern is that maybe the two outer columns tend to dwarf the box section but maybe that is the look you were after. Arn, great piece and well done.
Bernie Hrytzak
The Cat’s paws Bernie this is a good concept and a bit of creative thinking, well done. It looks like the vessel and finial are well proportioned and finished, but my thought is that the paws are little too bold hence dwarfing the vessel. Maybe they could have been a little less heavy and more shaped as this will give a lighter look.
James Gaydos
Poplar vase
James it looks like you have got the shape of the vessel well proportioned, but I feel that the legs could have been a bit thinner giving it a less heavy look. The colours also give it a heavier look, still a good piece, well done.
Suspended vessel 2
I like this piece better than the first one James, its height and lightness of the legs give it a more elegant look. I also feel that the vessel may have been better if it had a narrower base and slightly more curved middle, more parabolic shape, but still keeping in with the general shape of the legs. Well done and thanks for entering.
Jonathon Garcia
Spiral Form. Good piece Jonathon well done. This is a very technically challenging piece and it looks like you have done a great job. It is certainly suspended in the ring nicely. My only piece of constructive criticism is that the bottom of the legs could have been a little thinner giving it a littler look off the surface. I always feel that legs need to be much less bold looking than the main form so they will not take the eye off the spiral.
Winner Alan Carter Proud Mary
Second Place Rmuniak
Third Place Rick Crawford Form
Many thanks to Neil Scobie for judging this contest. All of the entries were very creative, resulting in one of the best contests we have had! Congratulations to everyone!
