Thought I would post this

[The Bowler Hatted Turner]

This was my entry for the Fiona Woolf competition.
Made from Canadian Rock Maple, textured and coloured, the shapes are the outline taken from the map of the City of London which to me looks like the shape of a country..so many shapes/countries working in the "City" as depicted by the different currency symbols on each one. The whole thing (the City) supported on a stout foundation of English Brown Oak. The Af. Blackwood finial (in the shape of a coin) is just a bit of exoticism.
Tell me what you think good or bad. I didn't win but had fun taking part.

[ken rodgers]

Hi BHT,
Great concept.
I like the shape of the body which is very pleasing to the eye and the texturing. The finial is a bit over powering for me.
Shame you did not get a prize - always next year   
regards
Ken

[bodrighywood]

Lovely piece John. Only thing I would change is perhaps the beaded stem, seems a step too much but hey who am I to argue with and artist LOL.

Pete

[Les Symonds]

Hi John...an imaginative piece that was, I'm sure, a worthy entrant. One little detail that I particularly like is the support for the coin - neat. I'd never really thought about the outline of the City of London (more a country boy at heart), but in the green panel I see the head of a west highland terrier.
Les

[edbanger]

BHT I think this would have got my vote it shows so many different aspects of turning what is there not to like 

Ed

[The Bowler Hatted Turner]

Thanks for your comments, the trouble with doing a piece specifically for a competition is what do you do with it if you don't win? The design is only pertinent to those that are aware of what the comp. was all about.
Do I leave it as is or re-work it into something different? I will have to see how it is received at the next few exhibitions to decide that.

[Graham]

I wouldn't recognise the shape of the city of London but would take the piece as a symbol of the universal nature of woodturning.

[Bryan Milham]

John,

You seem to have a way of seeing things, the city of London, all the different currency symbols, I'm guessing the gold over the texture work is symbolic as well.

I like the shape and way you've brought so many aspect together but the finial just does not sit happily for me. I know you said it was a bit of exoticism, but the shape is wrong I'm afraid.

[The Bowler Hatted Turner]

 the finial just does not sit happily for me.

I think you could be right Bryan, MBH doesn't like it either. Perhaps if it were more...ummm....finial shaped?
I might change it just to make it more sell-able. I might texture out the city outlines and apply verdigris. Not sure yet.

[Eric Harvey]

great piece,love the design and embelishments,cheers,

Eric.

[malcy]

Why would you want to change it? It's great as it is and tells the story you designed and made it for. I'd see if it will sell first before I would even consider altering it. Malcolm.