Turning of the Week for March 4, 2024

[Tom Gall]

My choice for TOTW for March 4, 2024, is “Emerging World” by Jim McLain.

This is an early work by Jim (made before his wonderful “Chaco” series) that is just outstanding. The spheres look perfect and the hemispherical base is complementary with the overall theme of the piece. I love the look of the globe with the missing segments. The colors of the Cocobolo are beautiful (except for the three support pegs which are different), but by now all have probably darkened to the same hue. Well done, Jim!

 

[Gabriel Hoff]

Congratulations Jim! Those woods are gorgeous!

 

[Michael Anderson]

Killer work, Jim! You’ve been making awesome pieces for a long time. Great choice Tom!

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

A really gorgeous piece and obviously time consuming

 

[RichColvin]

It looks like the building of a Dyson sphere around a planet. Beautiful piece, and as Gerald noted, it must have taken quite a bit of time.

 

[Linda Ferber]

Spectacular work. Congratulations

 

[Dimitris Psilopatis]

Wonderful piece Jim!Congratulations!

 

[Matt Fletcher]

Just, WOW! Nice work, Jim!

 

[David Croxton]

Congratulation Jim! - your work is incredible, and the recognition is well deserved!!

 

[Jim McLain]

Thanks Tom and thanks everyone for the kind comments. When I was making these back in the early 2000’s many thought they looked like the Death Star from Star Wars.

 

[Russ Braun]

Nice choice Tom! Outstanding piece Jim. This is a world you should revisit for the obvious reasons (my personal entertainment, haha!!).

 

[odie]

This is a world you should revisit for the obvious reasons

I was thinking the same thing......

-o-

 

[Scott Davidson]

This is truly an amazing piece of work!! Inspiring.

 

[Asher Langton]

Thanks Tom and thanks everyone for the kind comments. When I was making these back in the early 2000’s many thought they looked like the Death Star from Star Wars.

Would you mind sharing how you created the outer shell? (No offense taken if you don't!) If I had to try to recreate it, I think I'd hollow through a hole on the side and then remove segments around the entry hole and the mount point. Am I close? I've never done segmented work, so I don't know how hard it would be to cut segments out so cleanly.

 

[Jim McLain]

Would you mind sharing how you created the outer shell? (No offense taken if you don't!) If I had to try to recreate it, I think I'd hollow through a hole on the side and then remove segments around the entry hole and the mount point. Am I close? I've never done segmented work, so I don't know how hard it would be to cut segments out so cleanly.

Asher - The outer shell was made in two halves that were turned as a sphere, then turned on the inside to match the outside. Before the two half’s were glued together the inner sphere is captured and covered to protect it from the carving of the outer sphere. Hope this makes sense.

 

[Asher Langton]

Asher - The outer shell was made in two halves that were turned as a sphere, then turned on the inside to match the outside. Before the two half’s were glued together the inner sphere is captured and covered to protect it from the carving of the outer sphere. Hope this makes sense.

Thanks, that makes sense and seems kind of obvious now that you've explained it. Working with it in 2 pieces didn't even occur to me.

 

[David Wyke]

Great craftsmanship and a beautiful piece of art!

 

[Russ Braun]

Thanks, that makes sense and seems kind of obvious now that you've explained it. Working with it in 2 pieces didn't even occur to me.

One of the beauties of working with segmented rings and shapes!

 

[Kris DeVault]

That is stunning!

 

[Walley King]

My choice for TOTW for March 4, 2024, is “Emerging World” by Jim McLain.

This is an early work by Jim (made before his wonderful “Chaco” series) that is just outstanding. The spheres look perfect and the hemispherical base is complementary with the overall theme of the piece. I love the look of the globe with the missing segments. The colors of the Cocobolo are beautiful (except for the three support pegs which are different), but by now all have probably darkened to the same hue. Well done, Jim!

Remarkable work well done!

 

[Steve Nix]

Congratulations to a true artist and craftsman. Well done Jim.

 

[John Vaeth]

Although you said you made it a while ago, I hope that it is still in your collection. This is a piece that should be passed down through generations! Congratulations Jim.