David J. Marks
September 28 – October 2
In this workshop, students learn to advance their skills by turning finely crafted lidded containers with smooth interiors and precise fits, beginning with friction-fitted lids and progressing to hand-chased threads. Emphasis is placed on design, clean form, and greater tool control. Boxes will be turned in spindle grain orientation (long grain running parallel to the lathe bed) with a focus on hollowing end grain with gouges and scrapers, including the use of negative-rake scrapers to achieve smooth surfaces where the grain is most challenging.
The class also explores decorative approaches for exterior surfaces, including beads, coves, chatter texture, and spiral embellishment. Students are welcome to work with David’s spiral tools to experiment with a wide range of design possibilities.
The course concludes with an introduction to hand-chased threads. Though challenging, thread chasing is an attainable skill with practice. Students work with African Blackwood—an ideal material for learning this technique—as David provides step-by-step instruction and individualized support.
David J. Marks was born in Ocean City, New Jersey in 1951. He is recognized internationally as a master craftsman of fine furniture, turner, sculptor, and host of the television show “WoodWorks”. David has been woodworking since high school in the 1960’s and took a job as a carpenter, then a burl table maker in the early 70’s when he moved to California. In 1981, he opened his own shop/studio and built one-of-a-kind furniture, shifting his focus in the late 1980’s to woodturning and sculpture. David hosted 91 episodes of WoodWorks which debuted on HGTV and the DIY Networks in 2002 and in 2004 he opened a woodworking school in Santa Rosa, CA.
His numerous awards for his woodworking and woodturning include two NICHE Awards, four-time winner of Best of Show in “Artistry in Wood”, and 2021 Best of Art at the “Artistry in Wood” Sonoma County Museum for his Wall Sculpture “Ocean”. Examples of his work appear in numerous publications such as Fine Woodworking Design Books #3, #6, #7, the Guild Source Book #7, Furniture Studio: The Heart of Functional Arts, as well as many others. He is one of the featured artists in the 2017 book titled The Invisible Line: When Craft Becomes Art and will soon be featured in John English’s new book Notable Woodworkers Since the 1600’s. His website is djmarks.com.
Open to intermediate turners.
Tuition: $1,150
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