KCG Artist In Residence - Bill Johnston

My work can properly be described as contemporary classic. I take basic classical forms and work with them paying particular attention to the interaction of curves and embellish them with color and texture. It is important that my work reflect nicely flowing lines. . . sensuous curves if you will. My pieces appear nicely balanced and present an uplifted feeling as opposed to appearing anchored at the base. Anything that interrupts the eye from taking in the piece as a whole becomes a distraction.

Bill's woodturning biography

Click On Images For More Detail Photos by Bill Johnston
	Ambrosia Maple Hollow Vessel A hollow vessel turned from ambrosia maple. It has been dyed with aniline dye then finished with lacquer. The upper and lower portions were airbrushed with black lacquer for contrast. The top piece was turned from Inlace then carved. Size 5 1/2 x 8
	Ash/Purpleheart Lidded Vessel A lidded vessel turned from ash and purpleheart which has been dyed. The lid is a combination of Inlace, around the perimeter, and ash finished off with an ebony finial. Size 8 x 8 1/2
	Myrtlewood Burl Hollow Form This hollow form is turned from myrtlewood burl. This particular burl includes a very striking contrast between heartwood and sapwood which has been amplified somewhat by the light use of aniline dye. The top includes the natural edge of the burl. Size 6 1/4 x 8 1/4
	Big Leaf Maple Burl Lidded Form This lidded form is turned from big leaf maple burl. The dye was applied then lightly sanded so as to reveal the beautiful qualities of the burl. The lid employs Inlace as a perimeter surrounding maple burl and was then carved with a router using a router jig. The finial is ebony. Size 9 x 5 1/2
	Saturn "Saturn," a discus shaped lidded form was turned from ash which has been laminated then limed. The lamination involved sandwiching contrasting colors of Corian and Inlace between the top and bottom pieces. The lid consists of Inlace and ash carved with a router using a router jig on the lathe. The finial is ebony. Size 12 1/2 x 4 1/2
	Maple Burl Hollow Form A maple burl hollow form which reveals interesting and contrasting coloration in its natural state. Size 6 1/2 x 6
	Maple Burl Lidded Form This bleached maple burl lidded form was bleached many times using wood bleach to achieve a true "whiteness" of color. The lid features black and white Inlace along with an ebony finial to create sharp, but complimentary, color contrasts. Size 7 1/2 x 5
	Big Red "Big Red" is a hollow form turned from big leaf maple burl. The dye is used so as to highlight burl qualities. That is, it is dyed then sanded to get rid of the solid color that dyes can impart. The void on the side adds additional interest to the form. The top highlights the natural edge of the burl. Size 7 x 10 1/2
	Maple Burl Bowl This maple burl bowl was dyed and then highlighted at the rim with black air-brushed lacquer. It has interesting bark intrusions which add interest to the piece. Size 8 x 5
	Chinatown "Chinatown" is a large maple platter. The carving and coloring on the rim was achieved by cutting through sprayed black lacquer and then dyed. Size 16 1/2 x 2

Artist in Residence