Woodturner--Les Roberts The Pen Turners Corner A Terrible Tool ...

Dixie Biggs Demonstrationby Fred HolderDixie Biggs did a Power Carving on your Turningsdemonstration for the Seattle Chapter of AAWon May 12, 2012. The following Saturday an all daydemonstration was conducted at Rick Terney’s shopfrom 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Mildred and I attended bothevents to see this lady do her thing. Now a little aboutDixie Biggs.Dixie Biggs lives in Gainesville, Florida, and hasbeen a full-time studio woodturner/artist since1989.Having a degree in agriculture from the Universityof Florida and a love of gardening, much of her workincorporates a botanical theme. She is best known forher meticulously-carved, “leaf wrapped” vessels.She has exhibited her work in such notable venuesas Smithsonian Craft Show, American Craft Exposition,Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show anddel Mano Gallery. Her work is in public and privatecollections worldwide. She has shared her techniquesand knowledge at regional and national symposiums,including Australia, the Utah Woodturning Symposium,the American Association of Woodturners and variouswoodturning clubs and craft schools around the country.For more information on Dixie Biggs, visit her websiteat: www.dixiebiggs.com. Here is what Dixie says aboutherself on her website:Dixie Says, “I grew up with a love of carving anda fascination for working with wood. My interest inwoodturning began in 1974 when I taught myself touse a wood lathe so I could duplicate a chess set mygrandfather had made. My work has evolved from thatinitial experience.“Although each piece begins on the lathe, I see thisas a starting point for further development. I create thesurface of my work using various carving tools, bothhand-held and power driven.“Having a degree in Agriculture, much of my workincorporates a botanical theme. I find a great deal ofinspiration in the shapes, textures and simple beautyfound in nature. What I strive to evoke in my piecesis a sense of tranquility that a quiet walk in the woodscan bring.“I get a great deal of excitement watching a piecetake shape from my hands. I never know what I’m goingto find once I get below the bark of a log. Sometimesthere is buried treasure! It is such a thrill when I findPage 22 More Woodturning July 2012unexpected swirls, burls, patterns and colors. I lovefinding wood that others have discarded and breathingnew life into it. I feel I’ve accomplished this whensomeone can’t resist picking up a piece of my workand caressing it.”The rest of this story will be done with photosand captions.Figure 1. Dixie About to start her demonstrationat the club meeting.Figure 2. Leaf Pattern to be used on the project.Note: Dixie cuts her leaf patterns from Borco draftingtable cover material that is tough and flexible.