It started out as a red maple (Acer rubrum). The top half of the tree snapped off a month ago across the road. I hurried and started carving away on some of it. Maple doesn’t store well for long in hot weather.

Roughing out with the adze goes quickly.

Adze work finished.

For shaping the sides, I just went straight to the drawknife.

The bottom side of the bowl, with the outline of the foot.

Shaping the ends with an axe.

Then fairing the surface with a spokeshave before wrapping in an old towel to dry for a week or two.

After drying, the surface is oxidized and a bit mottled. The upper portion shows the new surface cut with a gouge after drying. Red maple has a consistency similar to fruitwood or even boxwood when dry. Clean cuts leave a burnished surface and it holds carved detail well.

There’s the whole hollow in the finished bowl.

I carved a series of parallel rows across the end panels, following the curve of the handle end. That’s a #3 12mm gouge.

Above is a video clip. I stop the carving about half way across. Later, I work back to that spot in the other direction from the other side.

There’s the finished exterior, painted with sky blue milk paint. The natural wood will turn more golden over time, complementing the blue.

I left a narrow panel to the outside of the rim and chip carved a pattern of graduated alternating triangles. I was so focused I forgot to take photos of that stage.

This bowl is available for purchase. Finished with milk paint and kiln-cured pure linseed oil, ready to serve. It is 12 5/8″ long, a little under 8″ wide, and 3″ high. (32cm x 19.8cm x 7.5cm). The price of $700 includes shipping. Update: SOLD. If you’re interested, please email me at dandkfish@gmail.com. Thank you.

One last photo for this post. A shot of a monarch butterfly caterpillar feeding on milkweed in the back yard today.