This piece was made in a demo…sometimes the quickly executed form reveals the skill of the craftsman best of all. Dennis picks up this small oak bowl by Richard Raffan often. The curve of the base is perfect, inside and out. And then the beads–all cut quickly with a gouge; well-matched, clean, and climbing up the curve exactly as they should.
We often think of Richard Raffan as an expert crafter of useful objects. With this series of forms, Richard has done some counter-intuitive things. First, although they are tall, they are turned sidegrain. And wet. And then the bright red interiors play against the opaque surface finish. Altogether, Dennis has five of these. Working in ensembles is new for Raffan, and a great step for the art of woodturning.
Allan Batty’s Secret Box appears in many publications, but not often with the three parts shown separately. This piece reminds Dennis of the amazing skill of traditional hardwood and ivory turners, although Allan now uses alternative ivory to make it. When you hold it in your hand, you will understand that good turning uses magic, not illusion!
Chris Stott made this spindle turning of a woman’s form with some very trick off-center turning. Dennis values it for the way that the technique is subordinate to the design objective.
Chris Stott made these two demo pieces from Osage Orange, a midwestern wood that Dennis often provides to visiting English turners. Chris has made an astonishing number of small boxes to earn his daily bread. Along with the others in the Liggett teaching collection, these boxes serve as a touchstone for good shape and proportions.
Stuart Mortimer made this demo goblet quickly from Osage Orange. He considers it a little ‘rough,’ but it shows the Master’s hand in the proportions of base to stem, and stem to cup, as well as the slight taper in the twistwork.