Simplicity #3

[David DeCristoforo]

After having kind of blown #2, I went back for another crack at it. After the first one, I had a thought that it might be easier with a form that was not so tall and larger in diameter. Just in case anyone wants to know, it wasn't! Blending these curves into a simple flowing line is far more of a challenge that I ever thought it would be. Even when you think it's perfect, another look and you see where it could be sweetened up a bit more. This one was on and off the lathe at least a dozen times. After the stem got thinned down, the torque from the lightest cut or even just from sanding was threatening to break it and I ended up "reverse chucking" it using "cole" jaws (AKA "knuckle busters"). I left the tenon for the collet chuck on the bottom and I flipped it around several times trying to get the curve just right. Still can't tell if I nailed it or not because my eyes start crossing every time I look at it...

simplicity_3_b.jpg

[Baxter Smith]

Great piece David! I do believe youv'e got it though I can see what you mean about feeling crosseyed. The top curve is a little difficult to tell without a perfect profile view.

[mike ash]

Now that's a beauty DD!!! I love the form and the colors you've achieved (I assume you've got some dye's in the scheme).

Just Beautiful!!

[Roger Chandler]

From the pics, it sure looks like you nailed it David. Those curves sweep without any flat spots or bumps...........I can see why one might go cross-eyed with that one. Great fade on the color and pretty finish............simple is not always easy, as you can attest.............

This is a fine form.........a credit to your skill and your collection of finely crafted art pieces........congratulations again, DD!

[Jim Underwood]

I hate it when the torque just twists things off, don't you?

Nice work... I did tell you though, that these simple things sometimes are the hardest... Those curves have to be perfect.

[Dennis Ford]

It looks to me like you nailed it, the curve is sweet! The colors look great too.

[Sid Matheny]

Now this one is more to my liking! The last just didn't do much for me but this seems to just fit!!

Sid

[Bernie Weishapl]

Beautiful piece DD. Really like the form and color.

[Wally Dickerman]

From where I sit it looks like a good curve....I always look at a form upsidedown to confirm whether or not the form is what I thought it was. Have you tried that?

[David DeCristoforo]

"...look at a form upsidedown...Have you tried that?"

I did that Wally... but I can't seem to stand on my head for very long anymore. I think that might have been why my head started hurting. So I tried it lying sideways on the floor but then the form wouldn't sit level.

[Allan Ferguson]

Very nice and truly a challenge to do right. I like it. i And it would be great to see in person.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Very cool! Love the colors!

[Fred Belknap]

I really like the curve but it looks awful frail.

[John Keeton]

Having never tried one of these, I dare comment! This one is much better than the last, and the curves seem to meld well. I assume there will be another, and I wonder how it would do with a little less diameter on the top flare? And, as Baxter noted, it is difficult to tell without a straight on profile shot, but I assume you have the point of smallest diameter at the 1/3 mark.

Great color and the burl looks to be very nice! What are the dimensions?

[Rick Markham]

Double D, I think you got this one, I flows beautifully, and what a spectacular job on the color. Super nice piece, it sounds like it might have come from the same tree as the one I am working on... it is refusing to cooperate and is on it's 5th finish, and tweaking. I like where you are going with these, I too am hoping to see a another one!