Author Archives: Dave Fisher

Roughing It

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Dave Fisher

I’ve been roughing out bowls.  Rather than store logs for long periods in the summer heat, I try to do the green carving and let the roughed bowls dry.  Then they can patiently wait for further carving until I get … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, carving, drying, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

White Oak Bowl — Hollowing with an Adze

Posted on August 1, 2015 by Dave Fisher

When I have demonstrated at festivals, I have noticed several different types of reactions and comments among observers.  By far, the most common reaction is sincere interest and curiosity that elicits good questions from open minds and enjoyable conversation. However, … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, bowls, carving, holding, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

White Oak Bowl — Layout

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Dave Fisher

  This past winter I made a couple rocking chairs from white oak.  An extra bolt from the white oak log had been sitting around since then, and I decided to carve a bowl from it.  I guess I’m a glutton … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, layout, proportions, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Good in Everything

Posted on July 25, 2015 by Dave Fisher

And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything. — William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, Act II Scene 1 For a couple hours earlier … Continue reading →

Posted in nature, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

And Now for Something Completely Different….Chestnut

Posted on July 18, 2015 by Dave Fisher

My latest bowl, this boat-inspired piece, came from a Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) tree that grew a couple miles from my home.  In the photo, it is riding on waves of walnut bark on the wood stack.  I’ve got more … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, holding, layout, patterns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 19 Comments

Start Where You Stand

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Dave Fisher

  Do not wait; the time will never be “just right.”  Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.” — George Herbert, “Jacula … Continue reading →

Posted in quotes and excerpts, sketch, tools | Tagged , | 10 Comments

The Great Adze Shortage of ’15

Posted on July 9, 2015 by Dave Fisher

It seems that it is difficult to acquire a good adze these days.  I’m not looking, but I have been getting emails seeking advice on what to do about it.  These folks wish to carve bowls, and are willing to … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, cartoons, sketch, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 43 Comments

New Walnut Bowl

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Dave Fisher

Last week, I spent some time along the Niagara River.  I saw the Falls again (I live only three hours away), and they are still thrilling.  But what I noticed more than ever before were the beautiful trees on my walks … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, patterns, sketch, trees, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Close Encounters of the Wood Kind

Posted on June 28, 2015 by Dave Fisher

For those of you that recognize what that is: no, I have not turned to turning.  My turning experience is limited to doing a little spindle turning, mainly on the spring-pole lathe.  But I did make the easy hour-and-a-half trip … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Moth-Inspired Curves

Posted on June 20, 2015 by Dave Fisher

Nature will bear the closest inspection.  She invites us to lay our eye level with the smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain.  She has no interstices; every part is full of life. –– Henry David Thoreau, … Continue reading →

Posted in layout, quotes and excerpts, sketch, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment