Mesquite End Grain NE bowl

[Kathy Marshall]

I picked up a load of Mesquite on Friday, there were some good sized logs and they were soaking wet. It was almost dark when I got home, but I couldn't help but get out the chainsaw and cut off a slab from the end of one of the logs.
This end grain NE bowl is the result. It's just under 16" at the widest by about 2 1/2". It's just got 1 coat of Danish oil so far. It's still very wet, so I'll add more finish after it's dried out a bit.
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Thanks for looking!
Comments and critiques are welcome.

[Michelle Rich]

now that is pretty wood. Hope it dries well for you & it would make a neat centerpiece

[charlie knighton]

that's pretty, almost like the bottom better than the top

[Fred Perreault]

Kathy, what should one expect in the way of checking as it dries.... and is there anything that could be done to reduce any dramatic changes?

[Kathy Marshall]

Thanks for the comments everyone!

Fred, I'm not too worried about checking. The center section had some punky areas, so I really soaked it with shellac and topped it off with some CA before taking the final cuts. The areas that do worry me are the bark inclusions and the bark rim. There's a chance that the cambium layer will pull away from the bark as it shrinks, in which case I'll pull the bark and cambium layer off and probably burn the edge.

[Marc Himes]

A rally beautiful piece Kathy. I think it would look great with the natural yellow edge if you loose the bark. Either way you can't loose.

[Thomas Canfield]

Nice use of the unusual section. You got to love Mesquite.

[robert baccus]

Well done and very unique wood.

[Dok Yager]

Kathy that looks really nice! Should dry out well and look great. Now my wife just said the bottom looked like two butt cheeks. But she is a sick woman, that's why I love here.

[Tim Rinehart]

Beautifully done Kathy. I've only turned mesquite a few times, but sure enjoyed it. Last one I just finished (waiting to take some pics) was a natural edge in typical half log style but the outer bark didn't hold on. I left the sapwood without burning and still looks cool...not that some pyro wouldn't enhance it.