"Fleur De Lis"

[John Keeton]

I apologize for the pics on this one. It was very difficult to photograph and pick up on the color and figure. Also, I noticed I failed to get all the dust off. How come that stuff is only visible AFTER the pics are taken!

Claro walnut, with African Blackwood finial/base. The fleur de lis and rim have a red undertone, with copper leaf that was patinated. The finish is General WTF - untold number of coats! Painting on the undertone left a lot of texture and getting enough build of finish to permit leveling for a smooth surface was not easy. I was less than pleased with the finish on the inside, and that is one place that the WTF was difficult to work with. It is a very confined space, and even with relatively small hands, getting a smooth finish inside was not easy, and not fully successful.

Dimensions are 2.75" x 9" tall to the tip.

This one is a bit different for me, but then most of them are. All comments are welcome!

[Hayes Rutherford]

Incredible!!

[Allen stagg]

Wow!!! Great job

[Harry Robinette]

John
This piece is the perfect classical piece. I have not seen any turnings in the last few years that are purely classical ,for some reason no one turns classical piece anymore.I really love this piece it's rare to find a piece thats done in this style. Beautiful John nice change of pace.

[Bernie Weishapl]

That is a beautiful piece John. I do like the style.

[David DeCristoforo]

I agree with Harry... it's classic. The only thing I don't like about it is the "namesake" fleur de lis which I find distracting. The metallic flecks around the rim are another story. They add just the right touch of "glam" to this most elegant form.

[Joe Meirhaeghe]

John, I love the claro walnut, however I think that for this one the guilding would have had a better color contrast if you would have used a true silver leaf ( not the fake silver) with a acid patination. I'm not sure the transition from the pedestal to the body works for me on this one.

[Rick Markham]

Spectacular John! I still have WTF nightmares on the outside of forms, you are a brave soul for trying it on the inside! I have two new cans of it that I am afraid to open... what can be a "quick" finish, can also become a long drawn out process. That's some really crazy effects you are getting with the patina. It looks amazing!

[Sid Matheny]

Love the shape, grain and finsh but not sure about the lily.

Sid

[Roger Chandler]

What a beautiful piece, John. This one really speaks to me............I agree..........such a classic form, but your treatment on the rim is just outstanding. For the symbol on the side, my tastes would have been just to paint that on the wood after a seal coat as I think it would stand out more...........patinations must be difficult .........but the rim detail is outstanding as well as the transition to the top and the pedestal.

You really picked a nice piece of wood to be your palette on this one, and I think this rates up there among you best pieces!

[Scott Hackler]

Everything about this piece screams class. That is why I find it very hard to nit pit it's namesake. The inlay just doesn't work for my eye. A little distracting and a bit "out of place". I do like the idea of including the inlay, but wonder if it wouldn't seem all by itself if it was framed by more inlay wrapping the piece. Maybe elements pulled from the Fleur De Lis itself, but shorter.

But having said all that, its a really nice piece and will look great sitting on a display stand at the gallery!

[Michelle Rich]

Totally elegant..adore the shape/lines, finial, shoulder, lid, wood, finish but I am distracted by the fleur dookicky.( But I get distracted by much in life! :-) !! ) Totally adore it otherwise.

[Alan Trout]

John,

I like this piece. For some reason to my eye the base may be or seem a little small but that could just be an early morning illusion and not enough coffee. The WTF on the inside is something that I have a lot of experience with and have done pieces close this size. I make a small pad out of paper towel. I then use a hemostat and apply that way. I have made a little sanding finger that 1" diameter hook and loop paper that I can sand small vessels with on the inside. It allows me to get nice and even sanding pressure. I have a pretty long handle so I can sand across any annular rings I may have created during the application with the lathe spinning. Of course I usually use my vacuum chuck and drum to hold the piece while I sand. Not sure how your are doing it but I have found that I can get a real smooth even finish with this method on small pieces. It is not a fast method but works well.

Alan

[Tim Rinehart]

"Classical" is a good fit for this. It really stands proud, like a trophy.
Beautiful work and interesting evolution your work is taking, I certainly am enjoying it!

[Larry Pickering]

Would like right at home, in a French Quarter gallery.