Untitled (sketch 28), 2022. Douglas fir, linseed. 95 by 17 by 17 inches.

Untitled (sketch 28), 2022. Douglas fir, linseed. 95 by 17 by 17 inches.

In my turned pieces, I make two types of forms. Whole and complete forms, as well as incomplete forms. This standing form has a portion of a forty-two-inch feature turned in the center, implying a complete circle. The surfaces adjacent to the turned portion are finished to the same quality as the turned area creating the illusion that the circular void and the cleaved faces exist together in some reality and some unknown context. The back face and the top are left from the sawmill in contrast to the areas around the turning.

To accomplish the turned portion in this eight-foot-long piece, I used my pattern mill that can swing a radius of any size as long as it fits in my workshop. With this machine, the tool turns on a spindle, and the work is moved past the spinning cutter by hand so I can make work on an ever-increasing scale. This world war two era machine lets me scale up my conventional turnings with control and safety with almost no limitations on the size of the material.