Woodturning "Art" books
Lyn J. Mangiameli
Lyn:
Out of your library, which two books would you pick as the best (after
one
mentioned) that illustrate woodturning as an art form from a technical
aspect?
I'm always looking to add and although that part of woodturning interest
me the
most it's what I never have the enough books on.
What do you think of Giles Gilson's work? A different approach which
hides the
wood too much? I have a problem with that, but still I find his work
inspirational. The incorporation of various material is also my interest
so
perhaps that has something to do with it. One thing I try not to do
is over
analyze a piece of art. I don't care why I like it, I just like it.
The book "The Art of the Lathe" would have been much better to have
used
Gilson's "necklace vase" on the front cover instead of Lavtens half
finished
bowl. And in that statement we have why art is what it is.
Don
I thought I'd expand on this a bit and make it a seperate post.
Don raises a interesting point. There are woodurning "art" books oriented primarily to the consumer, woodturning "art" books oriented more to the practicing turner and what I'll call crossover books that integrate information intended for both audiences. Since I've acquired a few of these books, I thought I'd make a few quick comments on the ones I have.
First, as Don asked, from the technical side:
Master Woodturners by Dale Nish, 1985: One of the earliest (date wise) of the books. Discusses the works of Ellsworth, Key, senior and junior Lindquist, elder Moulthrop, Osolnik, Raffan, Stirt & Straka. Basically a page of biography and philosophy on each turner, followed by extensive illustrated descriptions of them making one or more works. A classic which is unfortunatly diminshed by age and less than sharp (by present standards) black and white photos. Small color and black and white gallery at the end.
Sculpting Wood: Contemporary Tools & Techniques by Mark Lindquist, 1986: Another of the earliest books on this subject. Even more dated in its techniques and poor quality photos than the Nish book. Not limited to woodturning, and often describes their basic use of woodworkiing tools. I find this book more of an interesting historical curiosity displaying the early primitive development of modern techniques than of any actual guide to modern woodturning. Still probably of interest to those who like the Lindquist's work, particularly the chainsaw techniques.
The Art of The Lathe by Patrick Spielman, 1996: This is a strange book. It combines introductory descriptions and techniques of woodturning, simple woodturning project plans, and brief descriptions of a large number of interesting turners into one volume. From an experience woodturners point of view, one third of the book is a waste. Yet It has high quality photos and mini bios of some a good cross section of woodturners and their works including Rosand, Scarpino, Firmager, Gilson, Horn, Hosaluk, Jordan, Klein, Latven, Stirt, Stocksdale & Weissflog to name about half of them. Given it's low price, it's probably worth getting, but unless some of its specific projects interest you (earings, candlesticks, ornaments, birdhouses, platters and the like) it's not much of a technical source.
Illustrated Woodturning Techniques by John Hunnex, 1996: I like this book. It has good photography coupled with pleasant forms and illustreated discussons of how an example of each style of form is made. While limited to just the work of Hunnex, it has a chapter each on bowls, closed forms, natural tops vases, hollow forms and bottles. Given it's modest price, I think it is worth getting.
Woodturning Masterclass by Tony Boase, 1995: The first of Tony's books. Great photography, but most of all, good insights into the lives and works of 12 British woodturners (Bryant, Clare, Firmager, Kaye, Key, Marsh, Liz and Mich O'Donnell, Scott, Smith, Tattersall, White U Woodward). You get a good idea of how each goes about their style of turning. Unfortunatley limited to the the British woodturnres, but generally a must get.
Bowl Turning Techniques Masterclass by Tony Boase, 1999: Second of Tony's books, and of the same level. Everything as with his first book, but slightly less Anglocentric. This time on Robin Wood (pole lathe), Stuart Batty, Ambrose, Larsen, Flynn, Forbes, Mortimer, Comerford, Hibbert and Boase himself. Another must get.
Crossover books:
Bert Marsh Woodturner by Marsh, 1995: Part biography and philosophy (which I found boring), part elementarly tools and techniques, but about half interspresed and gallery photos of good quality. If you like Marsh's style (which emphaizes form and wood), there are many pieces to study and admire.
Rude Osolniik: A Life Turning Wood, 1997: About half biography (but fairly interesting), a small section on technique (his famous candlesticks, large vessels, natrural edges, twig pots & bowls), and all the rest a gallery of his works. Excellent photograpy o glossy paper. A wonder for the wide range of styles he created and mastered. A must have IMO.
Art books:
Mark Lindquist: Revolutions in Wood by Robert Hobbs, 1995. Large size, but actually little content. Hobbs find more profundity in Lindquist's life and work than I buy into, he also seems to believe the the Lindquist's are responsible for almost every advance in woodturning. Short but full size section of gallery photos which are well photographed. If your a fan of Mark's work, or find it intriguing, then the book is probably worth it's price to you jsut for collecting so many pictures of his work in one place.
Wonders in Wood: The Art of the Woodturner, 1998: Single full page photos (by Tony Boase) of over 100 noted woodturners. Though British turners predominate, there are many prominent US and interantional woodturners displayed as well. Designed a bit more for the woodturner than the typical art book. Given it's low price, it is worth acquiring just to have an overrview of so many turner's works in one place.
Turning Wood Into Art: The Jane and Arthur Mason Collection, 2000: This is an unabashed "art" book published by Abrahms (know for their high quality coffee table books). Excellent photos on slick paper. Lots of Ellesworth (including non hollow forms) and lots of Stocksdale (probably more Stocksdale in one place than I have seen). Good also to obtain a sense of a collectors view and how a collector might seek to have a coherent collection (which in this case is one of the largest in the US, if hot the world). Somewhat expensive , but one of only two hardbounds in the art book group. Fairly US centric.
Expressions in Wood: Materworks from the Wornick Collection, 1996: Another unabashed "art" book. Slightly oversized. About 1/3 rd verbiage of dubious value to the woodturner. The rest is principally a page of biography followed by one or two good quality photos of the turners work. A wide ranging collection of turners and styles put together by a collector who is a turner himself. Fairly nice "art" book, but in soft cover. Predominatnly US but international turners are also included.
Contemporary Turned Wood by Leir, Peters & Wallace, 1999: These are the Del Mano gallery folks. Good introduction and history coupled with turners works broken into five categories: Purist; Vessel Trnstormed; Constructed Vessel; turning as Sculpture & Small Treasures. The best of the best doing some of their recent best. Many of the items are highly innovative while others are classic. International in scope. The very best of the group and recommended for every turner's library.
The Art of Turned Wood Bowls (I think), 1983 (approximately): I don't hve this book, but have gone through it twice at an old friends. Probably one of the first books to seriously discuss bowls for the serious collector. Good photography (as I remember) and a nice collection for it's era. If anyone has a copy to sell, I'd definitly like to acquire this book.
Finally,
The Art of Woodturning, 1983: Actually more of a pamphlet than
a book. One of the best histories of woodturning. Other than the cover,
all black and white pictures of variable quality. Nice because it shows
the full range of artistic craft woodturning, including chairs, muffineers,
architectural colums, screens, posts, bowls and hollow forms. Pieces by
Moulthrop, Ellsworth, Lindquist, Kent & Stocksdale, but more significant
for it's pieces by anonymous turners. Cheap (as it should be) and to may
knowledge only available from Cambium Press.
Mind you, this is a personal list and only the briefest of descriptions. I ain't no artist and at best am a recreational woodworker who greatly admires the work of other turners and the wood itself. YMMV
Lyn
Mark Hancock
Lyn J. Mangiameli
I had seen the book in catologs and didn't know if it was that much turning related. Sounds like it is, I'll be looking into it.
Lyn
Larry M. Johnson
Objects'.
It was published on occasion of the International Turned Objects Show, 1988.
Co-sponsored by the Wood Turning Center (http://www.woodturningcenter.org/)
and Port of History Museum, Philadelphia. It may not be technical in
nature, but
you would have a hard time finding another book with so many wonderful
pieces
packaged with such quality photography.
In fact, this was the first show that I had the opportunity to view first
hand. It was
in Anchorage, Alaska, held in conjuction with a showing of pieces from the
'Woodworkers Above the 49th Parallel' (forgive me if I got the name wrong).
I spent so much time enjoying the show, that when I finally left, I not only
had
a parking ticket, but I had two. VBG! Best parking tickets I ever
received...
Larry Johnson
Kalispell, MT
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