About the Contest

The Spring 2006 AAW Forum woodturning contest results are in. Congratulations to Gary Ljostad, the first place contest winner. This was the 5th turning contest held on the AAW forums. The theme of the contest was a bowl...in line with the feature story by Nick Cook from the Spring 2006 AW Journal issue. The contests winners were:

First place: Gary Ljostad, Orange Agate Urchin Bowl
Second place: Douglas Brown, Winged Bowl from Pear
Third place: Ed Kelle, Volcano Boy

Orange Agate "Urchin" Bowl. 7"x3". Finish - wipe on poly. Click here for a larger view.

 

 

 

The AAW would like to thank Nick Cook for judging this contest. Nick said "It was an impressive assortment of pieces, hard to choose just three."

There were 30 entries in the contest. The Spring 2006 contest details and the rules are listed here. The entries and overall results are listed here.

If you want to enter the next contest, watch for the contest announcement in the AAW forums.

 

 

About Gary...in his own words:

My name is Gary Ljostad. I'm 53 years old and live and own a business on the east end of Long Island, New York, in Hampton Bays.

I'm the son of a woodshop teacher, but never took woodshop. In October of 2002 I was invited by my father and niece to go to Yale University art gallery to see a show called Wood Turning in North America Since 1930. Imagine being exposed to the work of Ed Moulthrup, Jack Straka, Alan Stirt, David Ellsworth, Dell Stubbs, Dale Nish, Rude Osolnik, John Jordon, Jerry Glaser and many many more.

I was hooked. By January of 2003, I had my first lathe, a cheep unit from harbor freight. After six months I gave that lathe to someone just starting out and bought a much better lathe. One I can grow with. I also have a small lathe that I use for teaching. Thanks Dad.

I am essentially self taught. I have been greatly influenced by the many great turners that so generously share there work and knowledge, at symposiums and on the internet. Great sites like AAW forms, Woodturners Resource, Wow and Wood Central, have been invaluable to my turning career.

I haven't found what you might call my signature style yet. I am not sure that I want specialize at this time. I enjoy the diversity, and each piece is a new challenge. I love the problem solving. I get a real kick out of discovering ways to overcome design problems.