Bigger lathe means bigger projects (although very concerned there are torque/power issues with this, my first, Grizzly product). This cherry log was felled from my front yard about eight years ago (was in an awkward spot right on the foundation). A single vertical crack in this piece may or may not be able to be successfully worked into the commission this is hopefully destined for.
The main piece of this commission opens from the front to reveal a felt lined compartment in the bottom for cremains. The piece in the foreground fits over this area, concealing the ashes while providing storage for mementos and housing the smaller, mobile urn. The jacket was worn by the deceased when he met his surviving spouse. She intends to take the travel urn with her as she travels cross country in their convertible.
(Pro photos taken and will be up on the Memento website soon.)
The only way I know how to make any sense of death is to make something beautiful to commemorate the life lost. I hope this work helps my friends continue to heal from the tragedy they experienced and still struggle with. The process forced me to think about Dylan and process the event more than I would have otherwise.
Dylan Lucas Mathews was referred affectionately as “The Squid” while in utero. The choice to focus on this seemed obvious, but I don’t normally work so subjectively. Keeping the approach respectful and beautiful was imperative to keep it from becoming comic or kraken like.
Final sanding and finishing is all that remains.
Started roughing out the tentacles on the squid and have the first phase of the walnut “ink”. The walnut is from the tree we took down to build the garage shop.
So, yeah. This walnut wad is a little bigger than my lathe likes, but shooting chips that hit ceiling is always fun.
This will be the bottom half of an urn for one of my closest friends. The top half is a squid. This part is intended to become the “ink” that projects the little guy to the heavens.
Just realized that I have no images of this project on this site. Since I am now forwarding TheAlternativeObject.com to this domain, I will need to get more of these and other furniture projects here and in a proper portfolio.
Opened this guy up. About to hollow him out further. Cannot wait to sculpt the tentacles.
This piece of Holly is sooooo precious. Fits the subject. Now just to walk the fine line of not exploding it on the lathe.
Made this for my uncle from a cherry tree in his back yard that was struck by lighting.
