When the Chapter Committee Members attend
such events as the I.W.G. National Seminar they do so for their own pleasure
and education of course but always have in mind that a demonstrator for
upcoming events might be found. That is
how we sourced the demonstrators for the past few years and that is where we
met Richard Kennedy. Richard was our
demonstrator for the Annual Chapter Seminar and the Master class held in Togher
and at Tony Farrell’s workshop over the last weekend, 1st and 2nd
April, 2017.
This was no April Fools Day because the 35
people who attended the seminar were treated to a wonderful display of
craftsmanship from a consummate woodturner but who is really a top-class
artist. Over the day he took us through
three separate items.
The first was a hollow form with a very
small opening that he completed using the Simon Hope hollowing-jig. Richard used a number of different hollowing
tools on the jig and showed us clearly the versatility of this great piece of
equipment. It transpires that one or two
members are already using the equipment and if anybody is interested in
exploring it further contact John Ahern, our Chairman, who has been using it
for the last couple of years. Kieran
Higgins has his own version of the equipment that is bigger and stronger and to
which he has added various “extras”.
For his next piece Richard hollowed out a
small bowl again but on this one he drew in straight lines making different
shaped ‘boxes’ on the outside. Then he
textured some of the ‘boxes’ and applied gold leaf to others before finishing
the whole lot off with spray-on sanding sealer and spray-on lacquer.
For the last half-hour of the day Richard
mounted a length of ash on the lathe and produced a most-pleasing-shaped
candlestick.
Some of the attendance at the Seminar |
Richard with his three projects |
Richard's finished pieces |
We are very grateful to the 37th Cork (Togher) Scout Group for use of the hall.
Richard Kennedy explains why he chose John O'Shea's bowl for 1st place |
Competition winners, From left, Peter Manning (3rd), John O'Shea (1st) and David Lee (2nd) |
The 3 winning exhibits. From left: 1st, John O'Shea, 2nd David Lee and 3rdPeter Manning |
There were dusty Dremels resurrected from
workshops where they had hitherto done very little work but that from now on
may prove to be very useful indeed.
At the end of the workshop every participant
took home what can only be considered a work of art. One unfortunate left his “masterpiece” loose
on the back seat of his car where something heavy fell on it and broke it
irretrievably into several pieces.
Special mention has to be made of Tony
Farrell who proved once again to be the perfect host. Thanks too to Alice and her team for the
catering. The beautiful lunch served –
as we have come to expect there – was probably worth at least as much, if it
had been served in a restaurant, as the whole day cost.
We were Richard Kennedy’s first Master
class but I know it won’t be his last.
He is a really good instructor, his skills and his imagination are
second to none and those of us who interacted with him over the couple of days
are very proud to regard him as a friend.
Thank you Richard.
There is much to be seen in the Internet
about Richard and the following links will get you there.
enquiries@bolegallery.com
Facebook.com/bolethegallery or Richard Kennedy WoodArt.
Twitter - @bolethegallery
Facebook.com/bolethegallery or Richard Kennedy WoodArt.
Twitter - @bolethegallery
For those holidaying in Scotland – or even the
North of England – a visit to beautiful Knapdale in Argyll is strongly
recommended.
The attendees at the Master Class. |