Summit Centre Exhibit: Box Elder Burl Bowl

Box Elder is a species of maple native to North America which is known for its distinctive reddish streaks of colour. Brian never knows what to expect when he begins to turn a burl on the lathe. The swirling bark inclusions and variations in colour and texture make this a unique and striking bowl.

Box Elder Burl Bowl

For more information about the Artists of the Limberlost Exhibit at the Huntsville Summit Centre until April 15:

http://www.artistsofthelimberlost.ca/press.html?todo=viewnews&newsid=93



Maple Burl Bowl

The creation of a special bowl begins with careful examination of a burl, the discovery of the character within, and results in the satisfaction of creating a work of art from nature.



A burl is a rounded outgrowth on the trunk of a tree that forms when the tree ungoes stress such as an injury or fungus.  Burls are prized for the beauty of their rare and highly figured grain.  This sugar maple burl was discarded by loggers in a nearby Bella Lake property as part of a forest management program.  

Brian mounted the burl on the lathe and shaped the bottom of the bowl.  A wide base and a curved lip developed as the burl rotated and Brian carved the profile with his gouge.  The wide wings were maintained and they give a graceful, elegant shape.

The orientation of the burl was then reversed and the chuck was attached to the bottom to form the inner contour of the bowl.  The inside of a burl is always a mystery until the cuts are made. This burl has outstanding colour and figuring.

Brian worked for over a week on the final finishing details of sanding, buffing, and many coats of oil, with exceptional results.  The bowl has a live edge, bark inclusions and rich variations in colour.

The Muskoka sugar maple burl from the forest lives on as a beautiful, natural work of art. 

Bella Lake Yellow Birch Burl

Our neighbour Ken brought Brian a yellow birch burl a year and a half ago from a dying tree on his Bella Lake property.  Finally it was dry enough to turn.  The result is a lustrous, richly grained vessel.

The large, round burl had irregular edges which determined the final shape of the piece. Brian screwed the circular faceplate into the top of the burl.

The plate and burl were attached to the lathe and the tool rest set into place.  With the gouge, Brian made the first cuts into the wood.  The huge burl thumped and vibrated as it turned and the vessel took shape.  Woodturning is hard work as the resistance is absorbed by the hands and elbows.

Brian turned a graceful, fluted form and then created a stump on the bottom to attach the compression chuck.  The orientation of the vessel was then reversed so that the interior could be shaped. 

Once Brian had the top rough-turned, he drilled a hole in the centre to the exact depth he desired.  The chips flew as he shaped the interior of the vessel to that depth. 

The final cuts with a finer, finishing gouge left a smooth surface. It was sanded and many coats of oil were applied.

The oil brings out the richness in the wood. The variations in colour, grain and the contrasts of the bark and raw edges are now evident.  The vessel dries between each application of oil, the bottom is turned off and it is buffed to a beautiful, food-safe shine.

There is enormous satisfaction in delivering the finished piece to our neighbour.  The natural features of the raw burl from his Bella Lake property were tranformed to a one-of-a-kind hand-crafted vessel which will be a showpiece in his home.