FAQ'S
Here is a short list the most commonly asked questions I get at art festivals and gallery events.
How should I care for my new bowl or vessel?
I tell people that there are 2 rules. First, don’t get it wet. Water will ruin the finish. Second, dust as needed (but that rule is optional).
Is my new bowl food safe?
Most of my bowls are decorative rather than functional, but they are food safe. Almost all of the bowls have a polyurethane finish, applied as a thin wiping coat. Generally, three coats are applied, leaving adequate drying time for the finish to catalyze. Once the finish is hardened, it is inert. Over this I apply a paste wax and hand buff. Again, the wax is inert once the softener solvent evaporates.
Where does the wood come from?
Most of the wood I use comes from local trees in the Spring/Houston area. People who know that I am a woodturner will call when they or someone they know has part of a tree available. Trees tend to be removed when they are dead, diseased, or pose a structural hazard. I always eyeball construction sites while driving around, and sometimes I just follow the sound of chainsaws in the neighborhood.
I use a lot of freshly cut (green) wood, designing the shape, and then letting the piece air dry. As the wood dries, it makes subtle adjustments, yielding a much more interesting final shape.
Some bowls need to be made from kiln dried wood. I’ve been getting my dry wood blanks from a mom-and-pop sawmill in northeast Iowa for decades.
How do I get the bowls and vessels so smooth?
I pay a lot of attention to sanding, and check each stage under bright lights. My final sandpaper grade is usually 600 grit. This is so fine, that it really does not feel abrasive to the touch.