About the Contest

The Summer 2005 AAW Forum woodturning contest was just held. Congratulations to John Lucas the contest winner. This was the 2nd turning contest held on the AAW forums. The theme of the contest was lidded boxes...inline with the theme of the Summer 2005 AW Journal lidded box article. The overall winners of the contest were:

1st) John Lucas - Mushroom Box
2nd) Ken Grunke - Walnut/Spalted Beech box
3rd) Pam Reilly - Cherry/Rosewood box


The AAW would like to thank Ray Key for judging this contest.

There were 16 entries in the contest. The Summer 2005 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 John in his own words

My name is John Lucas. I went to college to get a degree in Physical Education (which I did) and this has led to a life long interest in weight lifting and bicycling. I started my woodworking hobby there making odds and ends for my apartment. I've had some sort of woodworking area/shop ever since. Right out of college I bought a Shopsmith and had a fairly complete workshop in the back bedroom of a 2 bedroom apartment. I can't believe the neighbors put up with that noise, especially the planer. That is where my woodturning started. I have been playing in wood for 30 years and turning for 20. I was lucky enough to have a grandfather who inspired me to a higher level of woodworking. He never actually taught me any woodworking he was just a very good role model.

I have always been interested in Photography and picked up even more knowledge while in college. I eventually shot all formats from ½ frame 35mm to an 8x10 view camera. After getting layed off a few jobs I ended up working full time as a photographer for Tennessee Tech University. This has allowed me to work closely with the Appalachian Center for Crafts and I have to give them credit for where I am today in my woodworking hobby. Not only did they introduce me to the AAW but also the Tennessee Association of Woodturners. The instructors and students produce a very high level of work and have shared so much information and inspiration. This has also allowed me to photograph a lot of art work and not only discover what it takes to get an artist into the bigger shows but also allows me to pick their brains about techniques and inspiration.

Mushroom Box by John Lucas
5"H x 5"D
Walnut
Turned, carved, textured, and bleached. Finished with lacquer and lightly buffed. click here for bigger picture

("About John" continued)
Woodturning is a wonderful hobby. Through the craft of woodturning I have finally been able to release my creative side. I started out studying architecture and love Frank Lloyd Wright. I also studied Ansel Adams extensively and now I realize that I bring the attitude I learned from them into my world of woodturning. Both studied the basics thoroughly and then tried to advance the artform. I've spent years playing with all the different techniques. I would attend symposiums or read my latest magazine and then go to the shop and try to master that skill. This has given me the freedom to play, to create a lot of different work. Each is a one of a kind piece exploring some technique or learning the characteristics of that species of wood.

I have now reached the point where I have two objectives. One is to create unique objects of beauty designed to be given as gifts and passed on as heirlooms. The other is to create works that make a statement. I want to build pieces that make people react in some way. Perhaps it brings back a childhood memory, or makes you laugh, or just makes you look at something in a different light.

The mushroom box came about when I was trying to see what kind of box I could make with whatever wood I could find in my new shop. A short board of Walnut won out. The bottom is a glued up piece and is the tightest glue joint I've ever put together. Even my woodworking friends have trouble finding the joint. The top was a single piece. I didn't like the way it looked so I bleached the top to make it look more like sap wood. Then I textured the top with a dremel using round bits for the dimples. I used a Dremel engraver with a rounded bit to add some additional texture. Then I burned lines under the top to add interest to this area. The piece was finished with lacquer and buffed lightly on the Beal system. It is 5" tall and 5" around.