Artist Harry Wicks: Turning Wood to Art

Artist Harry Wicks: Turning Wood to Art

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Artist Harry Wicks, turns wood into art.  In his photo essay, Wicks shows us how he works, step-by-step. After you see how he works, go check out other pieces of this artist’s beautiful turned-wood art in The Woven Tale Press, Vol. IV # 2. You will be amazed!

And see his video on his art here.

Visit Harry Wicks’ website.

Artist Harry Wicks with chain saw blank.
1. First step in turning a piece; select a log, chain saw it to desired size.

 

Artist Harry Wicks sketches the work that he will make from the wood blank.
2. I generally do sketches to aid in the design of a piece, whether bowl, platter or hollow form, as here. In this case, the maple blank had a handsome grain which I felt would enhance the work if utilized properly. To capture the beauty of the grain I designed a piece ensuring the grain would be  prominently displayed if it were on the shoulder of the hollow form.

 

The finished wood vase (hollow form) artist Harry Wicks created.
3. This is the Hollow Form that was created following the sketch. Note that wood grain is pretty much where I had hoped it would be in the finished piece.

 

Wood lathe face plate attachment.
4. Here, the faceplate is being attached to the blank using many screws. This is the most secure way to attach a blank for turning on the lathe.

 

Artist Harry Wicks has set up the wood block for turning.
5. Rough blank, mounted and ready to be turned.  For added security, the tailstock is brought up so its  revolving center is snug against the work.

 

Artist shaping the exterior of a large piece of wood using a heavy duty gouge.
6. Shaping the exterior of a large piece using a heavy duty gouge.

 

When the artist is satisfied with the wood's exterior form, the art piece is reversed on the lathe and the interior is carefully shaped following the exterior wall profile.
7. When satisfied with its exterior form, the piece is reversed on the lathe and the interior is carefully shaped following the exterior wall profile.

 

Since high-quality workmanship demands razor-sharp cutting tools,  a heavy turning session mandates frequent trips to the grinding wheel to restore the cutting edge.
8. Since high-quality workmanship demands razor-sharp cutting tools,  a heavy turning session mandates frequent trips to the grinding wheel to restore the cutting edge.

 

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