This is an interesting question Arch, what is appropriate in our medium so
far as the approach to acquiring a finished piece? Obviously we assume that
turning with a lathe is allowable, but then what about coloring, inlay,
laminating, carving, and whatever else our active little minds may conceive?
Realizing that wood is our principle medium, what about combining it with
other media such as dye, paint, raffia, metal, and so on?

Perhaps a "purist" wood turner will insist that only turning is allowed and
that the wood must be presented with a maximum of a finish applied. that
finish must be one of the clear finishes such as oil or varnish. However,
with the vast range of clear to amber finishes available in something as
traditional as shellac let alone all the varnishes on the market, every
finish chosen is a design alteration.

On the other hand, to be true to the medium could be considered as being
true to the medium in its historic context. From the beginning of time or at
least of tool making, we have cut, carved and colored wood. It has been
glued up, tied together, interwoven, inlaid, laminated and decorated by a
myriad of means. Pictures have been burned and painted on it. The Mona Lisa
is painted on a slab of wood. According to pictures found on the pyramids we
have turning it for at least 3000 years.

The thing is, wood lends itself to a lot of creative expressions by a lot of
different means. Some people will decide that an object must be left as
turned, sanded and finished. Others will want to carve, pyrograph, paint and
so on. The question is not what is true to the medium but rather what is
true to the craftsman/artist?


--
God bless and safe turning
Darrell Feltmate
Truro, NS Canada
www.aroundthewoods.com