Turned as a bowl on the lathe, then left to dry. The wood cracked dramatically during drying, lifting away from the turned form. Rather than discarding, carved into the crack using a Foredom micromotor with Saburrtooth rotary burrs, rasps, files, and needle files. The wing shape emerged from the damage.
Type
bowl (carved)
Date Created
2022 (approximate)
Ownership
Still in artist's possession.
Finish
Walnut oil, shellac, and wax
Material Note
Black locust: bright yellow interior, rot resistant, fluorescent under black light.
Origin Story
A storm knocked down an interesting tree two blocks away in Kirkwood. The wood inside was bright yellow. Partner put a note in the neighbor's mailbox offering to take it, and they gladly agreed. Didn't realize it was black locust until further exploration — rot resistant, fluorescent under black light. Turned a lovely shaped bowl on the lathe and left it to dry. The wet wood tore itself apart as it dried, opening a giant crack that lifted away from the turned form. Was about to toss it, then decided to carve it instead. The wing shape came from following the crack.
Salvage Location
Kirkwood, Atlanta, GA
Material Source
Black locust from a storm-downed tree two blocks away in Kirkwood. Partner left a note in the neighbor's mailbox; they were happy to have someone take the wood. Loaded a bunch into the truck.
Dimensions
6.25" diameter, 4.25" tall at highest point, foot roughly 3.25"
Status
Complete. Still in artist's possession.
Materials
Black Locust Bright yellow interior, rot resistant, fluorescent under black light.Robinia pseudoacacia
Techniques
Rasp
Foredom Used with Saburrtooth rotary burrs for carving the crack
Saburrtooth Rotary Burrs
Files
Needle Files
Formal Elements
grooveCarved channel that creates rhythm and directionality, invites tactile followingmarking the path of energy through the form
open formForm that unfurls, receives, makes space for what isn't there yetreceptivity, offering, space for connection
Embodies
damage-as-material 2026-03-10T16:56:05.979ZThe damage was the material all along. Not damage overcome, not damage redeemed, not beautiful-despite-broken. The rot is the color. The void is the form. The chainsaw scar is the first mark in a collaboration the chainsaw did not know it was starting. Damage is not precondition; damage is content.
becomingness The quality of being in passage between states. Not before, not after—during.
Uses Technique
Bowl Turning Initial form turned as a bowl on the lathe
Subtractive Carving Carved into the crack after drying damage; wing shape emerged from following the break
