This is my very first oval hollow form it is made from Mahogany with a cutout and pyrography. It is about 6 inches high. The surface inside and out is sanded to 1200 grit and then buffed with a paste wax for a natural satin finish that will last a lifetime. In addition to being my first ever oval hollow form, it was also my first ever entry into the San Diego County Fair 'Design In Wood' competition, the largest in the United States. It won an Honorable Mention Award. My inspiration for this type of turning came in 1985 while making a furniture modification for a neighbor. The idea remained on the back burner until I had the proper equipment required to make special tools. Then 7 years ago, I designed this art piece on the computer. I incorporated the Golden Ratio in just about every dimension. It was still on the back burner - it was still beyond my abilities and equipment. So, when I finally did make it, it took a month of careful, well thought out steps, and a steady hand, but the reward was well worth it.

This view is a close-up of the cutout and pyrography. The uniform wall thickness is less than 1/8 inch thick 4 different sized pyrography tips were used for the various burn marks.
Cutting the slot was a precarious step in the process because the oval hollow form is essentially finished and somewhat fragile. Any misstep would instantly change this art piece to kindling.

No surprise here, the back is the same as the front since it is made from the same piece of wood. The name "Opposites" is derived from the fact that the cutout is the opposite of the pyrography embellished pattern next to it.

This art piece was my first ever entry into the 'Design in Wood' at the San Diego County Fair, the largest juried wood exhibit in the United States.
It was exciting to win, but I never thought it would be purchased by an art collector! There was no way to buy it back or make another one in exchange for the winner the collector didn't care about the price, just the art piece.
Live and learn!