Black Maple HF with Frosted Finial

[Steve Schlumpf]

Sometimes I luck out and the final product matches what I initially envision. This is one of those pieces!

We have a juried Art Show coming up this November, held in Escanaba, MI., that is open to all Upper Peninsula artists. I have been toying with the idea of entering but wanted something a little different than my normal Southwestern style of hollow form. This is what I came up with.

Black Maple HF v1.JPG Black Maple HF v2.JPG Black Maple HF v3.JPG

Maple hollow form, sanded to 400 grit, ebonized using black RIT dye mixed with DNA. The finial is clear acrylic and sanding was stopped at 280 grit so that it has that frosted look and not clear. The piece is 6 ¾” in diameter x 7” high to the top of the finial x 3/16” thick. Finish consists of about 10 light coats of Minwax Gloss Wipe-On Poly. I will let it dry for a week or so and then buff out just the HF portion.

If this piece meets with everyone’s approval – it will need to be named before entering it into the jury selection. Appreciate any ‘Artful’ name suggestions as I always draw a blank!

As always, your comments, critiques and opinions are welcomed!

Thanks for looking!

[Wally Wenzel]

Fantastic!!!!!!!!!
Wally

[Skip Spaulding]

Very , very nice, great contrast, guess you have an eye for art. Good luck at the show.

[Jerome Hanby]

It looks a little like a Hershey's kiss, maybe some name that plays off of that...

[Roland Falk]

Beautiful Steve, like the mix of materials- what a great idea!

[Keith Burns]

Excellent piece Steve. I especially like the frosted finial as it goes great with the black form. Not much on names but this one is definately a winner !

[Dick Mahany]

WOW ! That is a beautiful piece. I really like the contrast of the materials. Great idea and thanks for sharing. Hmmm, now where did I put that little piece of acrylic that was laying around.......

[Scott Hackler]

Steve, that is a great looking piece. The contrast really makes it work.

As far as naming... When I look at it I thought "Frosted Coal".

[Michael Short]

WOW Steve. You always do great work but this piece is absolutely stunning. Great match of contrast.

[Pete Jordan]

This might be my favorite, Buddy!

Wow!!!!

[Mark Hubl]

Very, very nice piece. Love the contrast and the mixed media's. This is an excellent piece. Good luck!

[Ted Calver]

Steve,
That's a knock-out!!! The ghostly frosted finial looks like 'Smoke Rising' to me.

[Steve Mawson]

Black Ice is all I come up with. Can't make up my mind how well I like it. Hollow form yes, not sure on the finial.

[ROY DICK]

Steve,
After I picked myself off the floor and got my wife to see such a stunning work of art. Neither one of us could or would not even try to give a name to this beautiful work.
My first thought was to "SHOW ME THE MONEY".
You set a very high bar.
Don't forget to let us know how you did. Big bucks I bet.
Thanks for showing this piece and for all you do for us at the Creek.

Roy

[Rob Cunningham]

Steve,
That's an amazing looking piece. The frosted finial and the ebonized maple are great together. The form and finish are beautiful. Can't wait to see it buffed out. Naming things is not one of my strong points. Good luck at the show.