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  • Congratulations to Pat Miller for "Heart Shaped Box" being selected as Turning of the Week for October 13, 2025 (click here for details)
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Turning of the Week for October 13, 2025

Donna Banfield

Donna Banfield

TOTW Team
Joined
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Location
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@pat miller is one of the most curious makers I know. By that I mean, he can see the most unusual ideas in a solid or turned piece of wood and magically transform the piece into something unimaginable to ordinary mortals. Heart Shaped Box is just one of many of those creative ideas. Only after his explanation can many of us 'see' the original shape that this came from. You can see the title in this work, from one of his images in the photo montage, bottom right.

Pat, and his frequent creative partner, Karen Miller often embellish the work, just as Pat has done here with texture and color. And for those makers that like to see a utilitarian purpose, this is also a box. Nicely done, with a texture surprise beneath the lid.

Pat originally described this piece as a failed bowl, found sitting on a shelf. We've all had multiple failed turned work, but none of mine have ever been so cleverly resurrected from the doomed pile, as Heart Shaped Box. Well done, Pat!

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Excellent choice, Donna. Pat is a wonderfully original artist, seeing things in a very unique way, and you've expressed this nicely. I love seeing his work show up on the forum, as it is always more different from anybody else's than any the rest of us manage. Pat may be the person who has freed me from "I don't know art, but I know what I like." While I may not 'like' all of his pieces, I always respect and appreciate them. Thanks for recognizing him.
 
Nice choice Donna, well done Pat and Karen!

I always appreciate Pat and Karen’s collaborations! More than once I have asked what the heck are they are smoking, I’ll like to try some, lol!

Cleaver is usually my initial thought but it’s never quite enough when seeing their work…dare I say visionary? This piece is a perfect example of that! Forget that the piece somehow forms a heart, forget that it has an amazing flow, forget that it has amazing contrasting textures in just the right amount/ percentage, forget the cool coloring, forget the cool finial, forget that it’s also a box…remember that every one of these really cool features don’t overpower the piece….they each balance/ enhance the piece…keep smoking whatever you guys are smoking, haha!!
 
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