Category Archives: bowls

Side Panel Carving

Posted on November 28, 2015 by Dave Fisher

A few months ago, I wrote a post about laying out the side panels on this red maple bowl.  Since then, the bowl dried and I carved over the surfaces again with paring cuts.  By the way, calling this “soft … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, carving, holding, paint, patterns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

The Patience of Trees

Posted on November 7, 2015 by Dave Fisher

Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. — Hal Borland, Countryman: A Statement of Belief, 1965 As the oil began to reveal the rich variations in each growth ring, I found myself thinking about the tree from which this bowl … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, green woodworking, trees, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , | 9 Comments

A Little Bread

Posted on October 18, 2015 by Dave Fisher

A little bread—a crust—a crumb— A little trust—a demijohn— Can keep the soul alive— Not portly, mind! but breathing—warm— Conscious—as old Napoleon, The night before the Crown! A modest lot—A fame petite— A brief Campaign of sting and sweet Is … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, Lettering, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

The Secret Sits

Posted on October 11, 2015 by Dave Fisher

  We dance round in a ring and suppose, But the Secret sits in the middle and knows.      — Robert Frost, The Secret Sits I thought I’d share some photos of my most recent bowl, inspired by Robert … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, Lettering, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

“Turning” Without a Lathe

Posted on October 3, 2015 by Dave Fisher

Months ago, I had a certain passage of poetry tumbling around in my head, and I envisioned it on a bowl.  But the bowl had to be round, and here I sat without a lathe — sort of. Actually, I do have a … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, axe, bowls, holding, layout, Lettering, tools, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

More on the Maine Woods… from Eric

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Dave Fisher

In addition to meeting new friends in Maine, I was able to catch up with some old ones, including Eric Goodson.  He even gifted me this lovely eating spoon with a delicately chip-carved handle.  Eating spoons are tricky to get … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, patterns, spoons, Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

Curly Bird

Posted on September 26, 2015 by Dave Fisher

I’m looking forward to writing about this past whirlwind weekend full of knives, wood chips, and beards.  But, meanwhile, I’ll post some photos of this bird-inspired bowl carved from Chinese chestnut.  I hope the egg might provide some sense of … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 3 Comments

White Oak Bowl — Finished

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Dave Fisher

  In creating, the only hard thing’s to begin; A grass-blade’s no easier to make than an oak — James Russell Lowell, A Fable for Critics (1848) I wonder if James Russell Lowell ever carved an oak bowl?  In these … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, patterns, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Sinuous Side Panels

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Dave Fisher

A week or two ago, a friend had a red maple (Acer rubrum) tree down, and I was happy to help him cut it up and rescue a few chunks for bowls.  The creamy white wood might represent a great … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, layout, patterns, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

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