Motivation

Posted by Steven Kennard
A 'beaded' box made of African blackwood with a warm golden toned thuya burl interior is shown, with the lid propped against it facing the side It has smooth beading on the side of the lid and body and the top has a textured low dome, with a smooth edge. The sides of the top and the main body are finely textured.
‘Beaded Box’ open

This is the first box that I’ve turned in what seems like a really long time. It was an order from a collector in the US who asked me to make a box for him that got me to pick up my tools and get into the shop. I have been turning, just not creating. And for artists, the act of creation is vital as without it you find yourself losing motivation and joy in your work and your life as this is such an integral part of it. This is where I found myself. Circumstances have been so limiting lately for so many of us and mine have made it very difficult to devote the time and focus to see my way out of the emotional darkness that can overtake us all. I just wasn’t feeling it, which made it worse.

So, thanks to this email out of the blue from down South, I have found the desire to be once again making, with new ideas and the excitement to get back in my studio. This simple beaded box is African Blackwood, which you will know is my favourite for boxes, lined with a lovely warm golden Thuya burl and decorated with a surface embellishment of texturing and a subtle red tint on the textured areas.

This box is part of my Turned Art Gallery you can view here: https://stevenkennard.com/blog/skgallery/turned-art

A 'beaded' box made of African blackwood with a warm golden toned thuya burl interior is shown. It has smooth beading on the side of the lid and body and the top has a textured low dome, with a smooth edge. The sides of the top and the main body are finely textured.
‘Beaded Box’
A 'beaded' box made of African blackwood with a warm golden toned thuya burl interior is lying on its side, with the lid flat on the surface next to it. It has smooth beading on the side of the lid and body and the top has a textured low dome, with a smooth edge. The sides of the top and the main body are finely textured.
Beaded Box showing thuya burl interior

Gift Certificates and Tuition Increase

Posted by Steven Kennard
Sample Gift Certificate for woodturning course with Steven Kennard

This is a brief end of year message to let everyone know that I have gift certificates available for one on one wood turning tuition with me, should anyone wish to give the gift of learning! More information on the courses is on the Tuition page on this site. https://stevenkennard.com/blog/tuition

Also, I am letting prospective students know that the price of courses will be increasing starting January 1, 2020, from $325 per day (plus tax) to $350 (plus materials). Any courses booked before the end of December, 2019, to be held during 2020 will qualify for the 2019 price.

If you wish to give a Gift Certificate, contact me by sending a message on my contact page https://stevenkennard.com/blog/contact and I will arrange it!

Getting ready to demonstrate at the New Zealand Woodturning symposium

Posted by Steven Kennard

It’s always exciting to go to a Woodturning Symposium as a demonstrator, with the buzz that builds up around the trip. I like to take some work with me, something new if I can, so you see me here sanding the body of a new box before attaching the finial. I leave for New Zealand on the 25th of this month. Not long now before I go. If you are there, stop by to see it and say hello.

Steven sanding a new box to take to New Zealand- Ellie Kennard 2016
Steven sanding a new box to take to New Zealand for the Symposium- Ellie Kennard 2016

While Ellie was taking the above photograph I moved aside and she spotted my latest student watching sanding techniques from an unusual angle, under the lathe. Joni has recently become obsessed with woodturning, as do so many once they are introduced to it.

My most attentive student - Photo by Ellie Kennard 2016
My most attentive student – Photo by Ellie Kennard 2016

It is an honour to have been chosen by Lee Valley Tools

Posted by Steven Kennard

Lee Valley catalogue late summer 2016 - featuring 3 of my boxes
Lee Valley catalogue late summer 2016 – featuring 3 of my boxes

… to have three of my boxes featured on the front cover of their late summer catalogue. For those outside of North America, Lee Valley is the Go To Place for fine woodworking tools. I also teach box making workshops there from time to time.
Thanks +Lee Valley Tools Ltd (photo by Lee Valley Tools)
#tools #woodturning #woodworking #craftsmanship

 

The “Birthing Box”

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Birthing Box - Steven Kennard
Birthing Box – Photograph of the turned sculptural work of Steven Kennard

This box was originally conceived in about 1992 and at the time was unnamed. It is made in African Blackwood, with tagua nut ‘pearls’. The interior of the box has some smaller loose pearls, which seem to be waiting to be born. In order to do so, they have to pass up through the tube you see (one is on the way, as is evident from the bulge). It appears through the top and then is pushed out by the one following behind. You can see the older pearls in the tray at the base, with one waiting to fall from the top.

And yes, my imagination scares me sometimes! The box was finally given a name by the late Bruce leDain, a well known Montreal artist.

I am getting ready to go to St. Hyacinth, Quebec for a 1 day box making demo this weekend and was looking through older images of my boxes and thought I would share this one with you all.

My posts are all on my blog: www.stevenkennard.com/blog .

#woodturning #art #turnedboxes #boxes

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Wired Box

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This box is one I made a few years ago, seemingly quite different from my usual work, but in fact a natural deviation from some of the boxes such as Spiderman and even the Golfer's dream 2 which lies on its side.

The box itself contrasts African blackwood in polished rings with a finely textured cone section on each side. The ends and central ring are of a rich cocobolo, with one of the ends removable, revealing a hollow centre. The inside of this cocobolo removable 'top' is of mother of pearl.

The box is delicately balanced on two guitar wires which are taughtly strung between the plexiglas ends, suspended over a polished poplar burl base. The box can be moved freely along the wires.

"Wired" African Blackwood, Poplar Burl, and Cocobolo with mother of pearl, plexiglas and guitar strings Full information here: https://stevenkennard.com/blog/?product=wired
#craft #craftsmanship #woodturning #wood #boxes
#breakfastartclub +Breakfast Art Club by +Simply Arlie

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New Turned Work

Posted by Steven Kennard
     

In Album Images of my turned work

Some of my new work which will be accompanying me to the American Association of Woodturners Annual Symposium in Pittsburgh Penn. this coming week. I'm looking forward to seeing old and new friends there and giving my demonstrations. If you will be attending, please come up and say hi to me.

#craft #woodturning #woodwork #boxes

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Great Article Written in the +Grape Vine by Mike Butler

Posted by Steven Kennard
Great Article Written in the +Grape Vine by Mike Butler

A beautifully written article by an old friend of ours (not so old really 🙂 ) appeared in the latest edition of the Grapevine. Thanks a lot Mike! +Mike Butler

#woodturning   #woodwork  

STEVEN KENNARD – As the Wood Turns! | The Grapevine
STEVEN KENNARD – As the Wood Turns! Posted on July 26, 2014 by Grapevine in Cover Articles, The Who’s Who. This Who’s Who was both a blast from the past and a very fortunate boost to the present for me. I have known Steven Kennard since about 1998 and it’s been a pleasure catching up with him.

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