As The Wood Turns April 2004

As The Wood Turns Internet Version

April 2004

CWTC Meeting 7 PM Second Tuesday of each month

Location: Woodcraft Supply Store, 1280 E. Dundee Rd, Palatine IL
847-774-1186

In this Issue
> Curls from the President
> Demonstrators Schedule
for meeting nights & weekend Master Demos
> April Meeting Note’s
> April Gallery — See Gallery section of web site

Curls From the President’s Platter
By Paul Shotola

This month’s word: CRITIQUE “A critical review or commentary, especially one dealing with works of art or literature”.

My last few columns have dealt with the Gallery Review, and its importance. If you are new to the club, members are encouraged to bring their latest work to the meetings for review and discussion. The Gallery helps all of us grow as turners and artists, whether we have a piece on the table or not. Jim Christiansen was in town recently to give us his thoughts on art, design, critique and learning through critically examining our work.

Jim’s demo stressed the positives of looking at and discussing a turning to improve the artist's skills, to improve the audience's “eye training” and to improve the quality of all of our work. This is all positive. One of Jim’s concerns is that artists (that’s you and me) don’t want to hear any possible negative opinions of our work. Jim taught us how to review a piece critically, while presenting our thoughts in a positive manner.

I have always felt that the Gallery Review is one of the most effective tools we have for improving our work, our appreciation for woodturning, and honing our eyes and minds to evaluate craftsmanship and art in general. In Chicago, we call the event a Gallery Review, but in other, less sophisticated locales, such as New York City or Cleveland, it’s known as a critique. Critique, as in critical. That sounds very negative. Critical. The word is negative, but the concept is not. Unless you can look at a work critically, searching out its strengths and weaknesses, you can’t grow. You can’t move forward. You joined this club because you want to learn, you want to improve your skills and therefore, make better turnings. That is a noble quest.

At our next meeting, I encourage you (no, I insist, as it's your duty as a CWT member) to bring in your latest work, check your ego at the door, and let the review help you become a better turner. If you’ve been turning two weeks or two decades, we’re all the same: Trying to improve, and having fun in the process. You can’t ask for much more, can you?

Until May, turn lots, remember the noble quest, and please, turn safely.

Paul Shotola
Email address:

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Weekend Master Turner Demo Schedule

Greame Priddle — June 19

John Jordan — September 11-12

David Ellsworth — October 30-31

For More on Master Turners Demonstrations,
see Demonstrations Page

Meeting Demonstrators 2004

May — Glen McMurray
Details

June — Wayne Burnall
Photography

July — Jim Brooks
Apple

August — John Eslinger
Jamieson Tool

September —
Anderson, Dan & Marie
Turning Bottoms

October — Darrell Rader
Woodturning 101

November — Paul Pyrcik
Banksia Pod Ornament

See Fran Islin to sign up to be a demonstrator.

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Minutes of the April, 2004 CWT Meeting
by Paul Cavanagh

President Paul Shotola opened the meeting at 7pm and explained the house and safety rules. He also mentioned some of the upcoming events of interest to us all: Woodworking Show at the Odium on April 16, 17, and 18. Craft Supplies is offering a 20% discount to CWT members for anything (except lathes) bought at the show.

Paul also thanked Andy Kuby and Paul Cavanagh for cleaning up and rearranging the club's meeting and demo areas. Good job, guys. Now for some paint crews and some electrical work (more ceiling lights, wall outlets). Is any club member an electrician?

Paul Shotola will be conducting a mentoring session before the next meeting at 5:30 PM

The guest turner for April is Jim Christiansen of Moscow Idaho, who has been a professional turner since 1996. Watch another expert turner in action. The fee for the day is the usual $25. Partake of all the coffee, donuts, and muffins you can eat.

Anyone who is interested in doing a demonstration of any aspect of woodturning or related areas, such as carving, finishing, decorating, etc., please contact VP Fran Iselin. No experience necessary.

Andy Kuby reported that we have 160 paid members and that 3 more people joined that night.

2004 AAW Collaborative Challenge update: Binh Pho and Oliver Buettner presented part of their interpretation for the club’s entry. Other teams are needed and the following people volunteered:

Spring — Paul Shotola/Mike Malloy/Oliver Buettner

Fall — John & Pixie Eslinger

Summer — Dick Stone

Winter — Darrell Rader/Steve Sinner/Sarah Joy

Wayne is traveling so we did not have a firsthand treasurers report, but he assured Paul Shotola that the club was solvent.

Library News - An autographed copy of the Lyle Jamieson video was donated to the club by John and Pixie Eslinger. A hardy vote of thanks for the gift to them!

Mike Malloy again had a variety of items for the raffle: Lots of wood, some gift certificates from Rockler, and a few tools and some tool steel to make your own.

The interesting gallery was then reviewed by the Pixie Eslinger. (All members take note on how involved in the club the Eslingers are!)

The demonstration was conducted by Lloyd Beckman. He showed his skills in turning small hats of many different styles: from cowboy through derby and top hats to even a mad hatter hat! Nicely done, Lloyd. It was worth doing again since you had a large audience.

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Chicago Woodturners 2003
A Chapter of the American Association of Woodturners
Last Updated April 30, 2004