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I worked on this piece fairly steadily for a 3 week period.  Glad to have it done and pleased with the result!  It is the 150th piece I have created since I started turning! WT #150, Large Hollow Form Vessel from Beetle Killed Ponderosa Pine with Turquoise inlay. 26.5” tall x 15.5” diameter with 5.875” opening. Buffed oil finish. This is the largest piece I have created thus far and is at the limit I can do on my lathe. The grayish blue coloration in the wood is spalting caused by a fungus that the beetles carry into the tree....

This image shows the equipment I use for deep hollowing.  I also have some of the rough inlay done to strengthen the piece as the walls get thinner.  I think I will get down to about 1/2” wall thickness and call it good.  I’ll then finish the inlay process and do the finish work.

I’ve turned this large piece into its basic form … looks like it will be about 27” tall x 16” diameter.  The next step will be to get it mounted in the steady rest and to start hollowing.  That will be a long process and I’ll have to do some of the inlay along the way to strengthen the piece since there are some long deeps cracks that run the length of the piece from the drying process.

A 180 lb piece of beetle killed ponderosa pine in the lathe! 😳

I’m currently at an art show in Telluride with most of my inventory so have online shop closed until Monday to prevent double selling an item.