I Want To Be a Better Artist & Woodturner This Year…

I decided late last year that 2024 would be a year where I try new things, experiment with my wood turning & see if I can be a little more artistic with my work. I have always had a habit when I turn that anything I make (or at least the majority) needs to have "purpose" whether that be a salad bowl, fruit bowl, serving bowl, etc. I finally decided to step out of my comfort zone with this maple bowl & try something new. Now I have always turned natural edge bowls; they are probably one of my more favorite types of bowls to turn. However, that's about as far as the creativity goes with them and I usually stop there. With this bowl, I decided to combine two of my more favorite details and add handles or what some would call "wings". Now don't get me wrong, this isn't anything crazy or groundbreaking but its a start for me to branch out, see what I can come up with & inspire me for future pieces. So let me know what you think of this new maple bowl!
Find more of my work -
Instagram | / andrewmccarn_
TikTok | / andrewmccarn
FB | / carolinagrainco
My Website -
www.carolinagrainco.com

[@johnwoods9995]

Very cool. I love the functionality of this piece.

[@allisonreinholtz3343]

Love this new design! Beautiful work!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you Allison! I appreciate the kind compliments!

[@memex56]

From utilitarian to Elegant, Very nice

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@ericlambert4852]

I think it’s really nice so like your other works Too far for coming to salute and to meat you Éric from Belgium

[@loranwfry-zu9pu]

Nice to see you turning again. Very nice work.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@McStayWoodworks]

What a great looking bowl! I love the idea that being creative is enough of a purpose in itself sometimes. Thanks for sharing

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! Breaking the habit of thinking everything has to have a reason to even make it is something I'm definitely working on this year. I forget I am able to just be creative like you said!

[@jkurbanski6475]

Your creations are a great inspiration to me as a fellow Turner . Keep on with the path you're following, it's going in an amazing direction! 😎

[@christopherharrison6724]

Great place,keep experimenting.Personally not a fan of leaving the bark on a thin wall ,but love the handles and the overall look.

[@DavidBird-uu8km]

Very nice, the bowl is beautiful, the grain is great.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@rockallred658]

You are an incredible wood turner. Your videos are better produced and filmed than any other turner I watch on KZbin.

[@andrewmccarn]

I really do appreciate that a ton, that's a huge compliment so thank you for that.

[@johnnyho900]

I’m not usually a fan of bark on a piece like this but I like it on this one! Thanks for sharing!

[@andrewmccarn]

Im the opposite, I typically love bark on a bowl but I dont think I like it on this one! lol I appreciate the comment!

[@jimneely4527]

Very nice work! I came across your video and subscribed. Thanks for sharing.

[@kimberlyryan8618]

Looks like a perfect popcorn bowl! I love the bark!

[@andrewmccarn]

It can definitely hold a good amount of it! :D

[@ferrisrugar3180]

i had my doubts at first but wow what a beautiful bowl. Keep up the great work!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! I still have mine concerning the bark but that’s an excuse to turn another piece!

[@William_Kenny]

Andrew a great looking bowl nicely done, Kind regards From will 👍 😊

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@lyndaowen2154]

enjoyed watching your video.. Bowl looks good-- thanks for sharing your artistry

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@johnwhitteron5296]

Great work Andrew. Love your videos.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you John!

[@anthonyvilgiate6711]

great form.. very cool... your artistic nature shows in your filming, editing and turning brother... keep on it!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you Anthony, I appreciate that a ton!

[@bryanmccabe3632]

Thanks for your input ,you have brass ones compard to me , i have done some 24 " and it scared me , and i agree i like to just do whatever , thanks, Bryan McCabe , AKA, Woodbutcher

[@user-of8yd5es3i]

Love it! Bark is a good thing!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! I agree, when I can keep bark on a bowl its always a bonus. Thats why Im struggling so much with whether I like the bark or not on this piece because I love that it stayed on but I am not sure if it takes away too much from the overall piece! I guess I will just have to turn another one without bark and see lol

[@shannonclancy667]

I like it ! Way to go Andrew! If you not sure about the bark give it another go and take off the bark. Great job either way!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks Shannon! Thats the plan at the moment; instead of taking it off this piece, turn another one without and then compare so we will see!

[@gregdownunderinOz]

Gday Andrew, Yes I like the way your thinking, adding more design to woodturning and trying new things. You should also try and change shape of your bowls as well. I liked the way you described solutions to problems encountered along the way, nothing seemed to fuss you and there was always an easy solution around the corner. I’m not sure I liked the natural edge with the handles as it seems like an oxymoron, both don’t go together, one or the other. Tripod legs with either , maybe yes. However my opinion only, you’re the designer and maker. Thanks for sharing. Greg from down under in Oz.

[@keithmccormick1272]

I FOR ONE LOVE LIVE EDGE

[@andrewmccarn]

Me too!!

[@Dshelzi]

Andrew that is a beautiful piece. I love the natural feel of the piece. One suggestion is on your next handled bowl try making the handles with a slight downturning radius. I think that would fit the flow of the piece better.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you & I like the suggestion! After turning this piece, I did think about turning the handles at an angle next time or trying something different with that so we will see. I'll be turning another piece here soon!

[@retrowind]

Nice bro! Cool to see you experimenting….and geez I know from being your friends you always have to have a “purpose” with stuff 😂. So it’s good to see you just trying stuff out. And heck btw, your cutting board has been a centerpiece on my table, so in a way you’ve made prob several centerpiece/displays. Love the bowl, the handles or wings is a nice touch. I personally like the bark, but that’s probably varies person to person. Great video as always my dOod 👍

[@fastjazz]

Very nice!! I do agree on the bark, i'd go back and remove it myself...

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! Yeah I typically try my best to leave the bark on bowls but I am leaning more towards this one being better without. However I think I may keep it on just for reference, turn another one soon without the bark and then compare the two!

[@brendadriver2702]

I like! The shape, handles, and natural edge all work. Thanks Andrew!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you Brenda! It all came together better than I expected!

[@drbockel2]

That is quite the deep one!

[@andrewmccarn]

It was! Deeper than I anticipated too lol

[@williammaxwell1919]

Elegant turning that needs no purpose, though my prefernce is elegance and purpose

[@js7790]

buen hombre. que belleza de obra .bendiciones

[@andrewmccarn]

I appreciate the kind words!

[@chrisjohnston2449]

This will be a definite project for me. I agree with the bark issue. Maybe a sand-o-flex tool to make it smoother....I will give it a go with some really big Beech blanks that I have.

[@bryanmccabe3632]

I am looking forward to your future shows !! BM aka Woodbutcher!!

[@brucecraig4954]

I think the further out of your comfort zone you get the more fun you will have. Good on you pal. I like how humble and creative you are and you don’t drag on with the repetitive crap that many do on phases of the work. No one needs to film ten minutes of an one step. The majority who watch what you regularly do what you do in some ways. It’s a small group of people who seriously turn wood.

[@andrewmccarn]

I agree 100%. I think life is too short to be stuck in a comfort zone for too long; they make life seem like it just passes you by. I appreciate the kind words as well. I definitely am still in the learning stage when it comes to videos with what to show, what to cut, how long to keep a segment, etc. but I feel like I am finally getting the hang of it.

[@user-lk1hq3re7y]

Keep the artistic pieces coming. So happy you are making videos again!

[@andrewmccarn]

I definitely will & Its been nice making them! Trying to get back into the routine of things!

[@dlawson716]

Beautiful piece. Love the handles. It all works .

[@andrewmccarn]

I appreciate that! They definitely came out better than I expected!

[@tomclark3986]

i like your direction. very inspiring im going to try some handles myself. bark on the rim made it look out of balance a little. But a great job and a very nice bowl!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you & definitely give them a try! I agree about the bark on this piece, it just seemed sort of out of place to me.

[@TheFowl777]

Beautiful piece! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@jonnyglucose72]

I like the bark on it - makes it look like something from ancestors’ centuries ago. What do I know? I’m kind of old…

[@andrewmccarn]

Old doesnt mean bad! I tend to use a lot of historic pottery and turnings for inspiration for my pieces. They knew how to design a bowl! lol

[@burttsbowls469]

Beautiful bowl. I look forward to seeing more of your creativity.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@williammaxwell1919]

To make something doesn't need a reason; it only needs the desire and inpiration to make something.

[@FenMan1985]

Wonderful work, as always, Andrew! I love the handles and the overall shape. I'm a big fan of natural bark edge finish and love the artistic approach but I'm also a tad more on the pragmatic side of things :) I would probably drop the bark as this bowl is still fully usable and the bark falling inside or getting randomly scrubbed away while cleaning the bowl might be a bit of an annoyance. Nonetheless, great job!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you for the kind words & the comment! I agree about the fragility of bark; I typically take it off if I am turning a salad bowl or fruit bowl or just a bowl that will be handled because of that exact reason but I think that's where I was trying to get away from with this piece. My thoughts with this bowl was that its made for a shelf display piece, something that's set on a bookcase and not touched again lol Its difficult for me to think of a piece in that way because I'm a believer of creating with purpose but I made myself finally make something that was just meant to look pretty lol

[@Chipswoodworking]

I love this bowl. I always go back and forth on if I should leave the bark or not. I think it looks good with the bark on for this bowl.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! I agree with going back and forth on the bark; Most of the time I try and leave the bark on unless its a utilitarian piece and then sometimes its just more of a hassle keeping it on than what its worth but it does add such a unique characteristic to a bowl. For this bowl, if it didn't have the handles then it would be a no brainier but the handles keep throwing me off with wanting to keep the bark or not. I like it on there but then I dont like it on there lol

[@MH-qq3kj]

Beautiful!

[@andrewmccarn]

I appreciate that!

[@annlaurie1484]

It’s a beautiful bowl and I like the handles, well done. 😊

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! I've really come to love adding handles to pieces; just a fun and unique detail to turn on a bowl.

[@nemoemanon6679]

Looking good!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@jonathanmangold5024]

I LOVE it.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!!

[@boooshes]

Nice work.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks!

[@darb3528]

Although you brought out its natural beauty, I think a high shine would have made it more appealing. That’s my opinion though. It is beautiful though. G*d bless you and especially your eyes and hands. Love, light, peace and blessings. ❤

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you very much for the kind words!

[@schmfr1950]

very nice piece man.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank ya, I appreciate that!

[@anyelos.s.s.6418]

hartas visitas, pero muy pocos like 👍y muy buen video! saludos desde Chile...

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@Audie1234]

Very nice

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@weathormantom7206]

Thanks for the cool idea. I'm going to try that. I have an unrelated question for you. On the back of your bed there appears to be some stains where it looks like a liquid has run down the side. Can you clue me in on what that is? Is that something you use to polish the bed?

[@andrewmccarn]

Absolutely & have fun with it! As for the stains, that’s actually just dirty water stains from turning green wood 😅

[@user-gg1ru8zy7s]

Ah man.love your work .but when you do handles can you roll the handles over.and try putting feet on ,with the same technique as you put handles on.❤❤

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! Do you mind explaining a little more what you mean? I think I understand but want to make sure!

[@user-gg1ru8zy7s]

I mean when you turn the handle area so it has a turned down liptowards the bass.or travel an area on the bass of the bowl like you would as if you were putting a handles on but on the bass.turning those down towards the tailstock so that when finished you could cut them to be feet on the bass.dont no if that explains it better.i,ve don it on platters..Steve.

[@lmang692]

Another great video,how do you like your Laguna lathe I was thinking of getting one

[@andrewmccarn]

Its been a great lathe! Would highly recommend it. This is the 110v version so if you have the power for it, then I would get the 220v. Thats what I wouldve gone with if my shop had 220.

[@WoodturningWithJohnMarro]

Looks great! Me personally, I am not a fan of live edge pieces. That being said, your turning skills are just out of this world. Looked like an oil finish, do you have a preference or do you vary by project?

[@andrewmccarn]

I really do appreciate that a ton! I think you’re the first turner I’ve seen say they’re not a fan of live edge bowls! lol and I typically go between tung oil or danish oil. If it’s something basic like a fruit or snack bowl, I’ll just do a mineral oil/beeswax finish. I love real milk paint co & walrus oil for certain tung oils and finishes and then I’ve recently fell in love with tried and true’s danish oil. So those would be my recommendations!

[@WoodturningWithJohnMarro]

@@andrewmccarn doesn’t surprise me, I really like doing segmented turning. So I am sure that is part of it…lol

[@danceswithaardvarks3284]

Are you sure the handles are sturdy enough to support the bowl when you fill it with M&Ms?

[@danceswithaardvarks3284]

very nice by the way : )

[@andrewmccarn]

Only one way to find out.... :D

[@danceswithaardvarks3284]

lol

[@joeblow7489]

Andrew, there’s no “try harder”. You are an artist. As someone who went to NCSA I might have some agency to say. At 1/4” thick what was your dry time?

[@andrewmccarn]

I appreciate that! I have a bad habit of relating ability to titles and forget being an artist isn't a checkpoint with how good or bad I am at something so thank you! This bowl was pretty much dry after 3 weeks if not sooner. Since it had sit for a few weeks already, was a chunk of the end of the log and then turned thin, it almost felt dry after a few days lol

[@williammaxwell1919]

PPE ~ please trim the dangling straps on the face mask to minimise your risk

[@ericlambert4852]

I think it’s really nice so like your other works Too far for coming to salute and to meat you Éric from Belgium

[@andrewmccarn]

I appreciate that Eric!