Michael McDaniel

Hollow Form Wood Vase

2020

Solid black walnut wood with beeswax, carnauba natural wax, and jojoba oil finish

11 inches tall; 9 1/2 inches in diameter

About this piece: Growth rings on this salvaged wood estimated it to be around 90 years old. The figured or wavy area on one side of the vase represents where a large branch extended from the main trunk.

About this series: The material for this work is locally sourced hard woods. The process starts with a chainsaw and saw mill followed by turning it on a wood lathe. The entire process of drying, shaping and finishing takes up to 18 months. The shapes of the vases and hollow forms often depends on the size and shape of the wood and more so, the hidden treasure found inside. Each piece is unique on that basis alone. They are often created with a curved figure in mind. Adjustments are made through the process to reveal this hidden treasure, such as the spalting (discoloration), the figured grain and branching points from many yeas ago when the wood was much younger. Many of the larger pieces are from wood that is over a hundred years old. This wood is collected from local tree services or downed from storms. Both solid wood forms are created as well as segmented creations that are formed with many individually placed sections of wood.