Carving on Turning: Liam Flynn - Plain wood grain emphasizes the form

Modern woodturning masters embellish their work with carving

The popularity of artistic woodturning has skyrocketed in the past decade. The modern masters featured in this article have combined turning with carving to create stunning compositions, of which the beautifully turned shape is only the beginning.

Irish woodturner Liam Flynn was introduced to the world of artistic turning in 1982 after buying John Makepeace's The Woodwork Book, which inspired him to try turning. Woodturning has a venerable history in Ireland. The trend of surface decoration is a relatively recent event, which arose when artists were trying to distinguish their work from the mass of look-alikes. Liam dislikes stunning wood grain and prefers a plain canvas. When he decorates the surface of his vessels, it serves to emphasize the simple qualities of his elegant forms.

New Masters of Woodturning In this unique collection of artistic pieces that have redefined the limits of shaped wood, crafters and designers alike are treated to a wealth of knowledge from 31 leading artists who share their personal motivations, thought processes, and the studio techniques employed to bring out the breath-taking beauty of wood. Available at www.Foxchapelpublishing.com