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Donna Zils Banfield

The gouge comes off the grinding wheel, bevel gleaming in the fluorescent lights overhead. The last of the sparks that came off the high-speed steel complete their trip under the wheel. I turn around to face my latest project, a 20” chunk of Ambrosia streaked silver maple. The log was in a grapple load of firewood delivered earlier that year. “Mine”, I said, immediately claiming it.

Already rounded and balanced; ‘clink’ as the gouge makes contact with the steel tool rest. I lift the tool handle and the razor edge contacts the wood. Whirrr...szzzz...is the melodic rhythm I hear as the freshly sharpened gouge cuts into the green wood. Six, eight, twelve foot and longer streamers fly though the air, and a wet spray flecks my faceshield.

This is my passion, my addiction, the vortex into which I’ve blissfully fallen. My barn…my studio…my sanctuary.

Care to join me????