Twent-six members came to Walter Murray High School for our March meeting.
Visiting and drooling over Paul Schroeder’s cored bowls occupied the interval before the meeting started.
Steve started the meeting and everyone introduced themselves. Jim Beebe presented the demo schedule and encouraged members to submit requests for future demos.
Randy Sawchyn presented a very interesting demo on using paint on turnings.
A big thanks to Peter Downing for sending in these notes on the demo.
Over the course of a few weeks, Randy Sawchyn, Steve Penn, Gary von Kuster and Mark Noete have been experimenting with different methods of creating interesting, vibrant, and unique finishes to their turned projects.
Tonight, Randy did a presentation using Josonja™ matte flow acrylic paints using the Iridescent Colours Specialty colour set. This kit contains 6 small bottles of blue, gold, green, red, turquoise, and violet 20ml bottles.
Apparently, the iridescence is achieved with small mica particles in the paint which causes a wonderful vibrance to the finish and causes colour changes to the surface when viewed from different angles.
Golden Interference and Golden Iridescent paints were also discussed as alternate choices for a colour medium to achieve similar results.
Randy asserted the need for a ‘flow medium’ to allow the paint to spread smoothly and evenly. His brand of choice was Floetrol® which can be purchased at RONA, Home Depot, or of course Amazon…(however when I checked, it was cheaper to purchase it locally).
Wood preparation can be done in several ways. Black or white gesso is an option, but in tonight’s demo, Randy simply used matte black spray paint. Once dry he suggested a superior finish could be achieved by adding a coat of gloss lacquer.
Because all the paint products (Josonja™ and Golden) come out of their tubes as a white acrylic paste, he strongly suggested that small containers be labeled with the colour of the medium being used in order as not to confuse which colour was which. He suggested paper cups, in my case when I use paint I use single serve yogurt containers.
Using liberal amounts of different colours Randy spread random sweeps of the paint to a pre-prepared wood surface. Then, using a piece of cling wrap he laid it over the top of the painted surface and proceeded to press, smear, twist, and have what appeared to be a great deal of fun mixing the different paints on the plate surface. (So, if you want to pretend you are finger painting in kindergarten again, without getting paint on your hands; this may be a technique for you!)
Once this manipulation was done, he simply removed the cling wrap, and used a heat gun to do some preliminary drying. If the paint is too thin, he warned that the heat gun may move some of the medium. If you aren’t pleased with the results, simply repeat the procedure again, building up layers.
The trick of the night was our question on how he got his paint edges so accurate on the top without interfering with the bowl…turns out he turns the centre out after finishing his painting…sneaky (but smart!)
All and all a very satisfying, fun, and unique demonstration!
Peter Downing.
Randy also showed how he uses string soaked in paint to create some flower and feather shapes. Here is a short video on his technique. It was very difficult to explain using still photos so I hope this makes the process easier to understand.
Show and Tell was next.
Bill Vanderloose told us about his time down south and showed a Mesquite bowl he turned.
Edwin Cook brought a Flowering Crab Chalise and a spalted Birch Candle holder designed to hold either a small votive or an upright candle.
Brian Guillemin brought a Poplar bowl with a bark inclusion, a Cheery jar with a Walnut lid and a spalted Maple server in honour of π day.
Kody Kammer brought two natural edge Pine bowls finished with Tung Oil.
Mel Genge brought a small Maple bowl and a sea urchin (caught when Mel was home in Newfoundland.
Randy Sawchyn brought two pierced pieces. One a bowl and one a wine glass.
Mark Noete brought two lidded boxes and a bowl with a coloured top.
Jim Beebe brought a spalted Birch bowl and two grinders made for Bill Vanderloouse.
Gary von Kuster turned and carved a platter with references to a moon landing.
Duncan Birch our treasurer managed the door prize draw.
