Here are My Woodturnings!
by Fred Warshofsky
Gainesville, GA
Note: click any picture to see a larger version.
Woodturning has fascinated me ever since I visited an American Association of Woodturners exhibition. The pieces on display were stunning works of art that pushed the creativity of the lathe far beyond the salad bowls and staircase spindles that I had associated with woodturning. This fascination led to lessons. After acquiring some basic skills I began spending more time at the lathe and less in what was then my "day job" as a television documentary producer and an author. Then in 2003, I opted for a new career as a full time woodturner and carver. In many ways the two careers are not, as they may seem to be, mutually exclusive. I have always been fascinated by ideas and images, essential elements for writing and directing, and as I have discovered, for woodturning and carving. As a woodturner I try to combine images with the forms I create on the lathe and then turn them into the finished piece. Thus, a dark spot might becosme and eye, the swirl of grain, the sweep of a wing... All brought out and enhanced by the carving.
Most of my subjects are wildlife. Birds, fish, butterflies, horses, bears, frogs, turtles are among my favorite subjects. Virtually all of my pieces start out on the lathe. Bowls and vases are then carved after being turned. Sculptural pieces are turned as circular forms a few inches thick, then removed from the lathe and possibly roughed out on a band saw and then hand carved.
I exhibit and sell my work at Arts and Crafts shows in the Atlanta area. In 2009 I was awarded First Place in Wood Carving at the Georgia National Fair.
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Turning process from start to finish.
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"Tree Frog" made from Box Elder.
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"Sea Turtle" made from Box Elder.
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"Swan Lake" made from Poplar.
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"The Dolphins" made from Cherry.
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"Ambrosia Maple.
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"Circle" made from White Oak.
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"Turtle" made from Pear.
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You can email Fred at
fredwars14@gmail.com
. You can see more of Fred's work on his website,
www.bowlarts.com
Submit your own woodturnings or woodturning shop to this column! Simply
SEND US PHOTOS
of your woodturning
projects or shop along with captions and a brief history and description of your woodturning. (Email photos
at 800x600 resolution.) Receive a $50 store credit if we show your turning in a future issue!
