Turning of the Week December 15, 2025

[Kevin Jesequel]

Ok, I know I put one of @Guillaume Fontaine’s pieces up not too long ago, but when I logged in and saw Old Tea Pot I couldn’t resist shining another spotlight on this talented artist. His tin can series has shown his masterful use of the movement of fig wood as well as mimicry of patina (that isn’t reactive paint he is using) so realistic that it is difficult to tell it is paint even when zoomed in. I continue to be surprised by every new piece in this series.

 

[Greg Haggard]

Can I just say WOW! Amazing work

 

[Bob Hall]

Stunning

 

[Donna Banfield]

Right there with you, Kevin. Just when you think you've seen everything that can be done with wood, BAM! There's Guillaume's work that takes your breath away! Excellent choice for TOTW. And congrats to Guillaume Fontaine.

 

[Alan Weinberg]

It’s beyond understanding. His fig work and patina are just mindbending.

 

[Guillaume Fontaine]

Hello everyone,
It’s my turn to say wow and thank you for your comments, which encourage me to continue in this direction.
The original idea was to create a green-wood box with its lid, while accepting that the whole piece would deform. I believe this approach is little, if at all, explored in woodturning, because in principle… it doesn’t work.
My first experiments gave rise to the “tin can” boxes, and I am now continuing this work through new variations. Fig wood, with its spectacular deformations, lends itself perfectly to the approach I am currently developing. The “rusted” finishing technique, passed on to me by Hubert Landri, is fascinating to work with, and I am very grateful for his teachings. The combination of deformation and rust patina forms, in my view, an ideal pairing. I will keep searching…

Once again, thank you Kevin and thank you all.