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 Harriet,
who helped her husband, Don, in his architectural woodturning
business for many years was taught by her husband and has now
been doing artistic woodturning for about 10 years. She is a retired
licensed land surveyor and worked for the Virginia Outdoors Foundation
for 12 years.
Harriet also sells
her work at the Aldie Mill Art Show, Burwell Morgan Mill Art.
Show, and Franklin Park Center for the Performong Arts. Her pieces
are for sale at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester,
VA , Bluemont Vineyard and the Firehouse Gallery and Shop in Berryville,
VA.
Harriet is one of
the founding members of the soon to be opened Gateway Gallery
and Gift Shop which will be located west of the town of Round
Hill at on of the best known tourist stops Hill High Orchards
which dates back to a favorite stop for D.C. residents out for
a weekend in the country
Harriet always accompanies
her husband to the national and some local woodturning symposiums
where she finds much to learn from watching demonstrations by
national and internationally recognized wood turners.
This has also given
them both the opportunity to build a small collection of works
by some of these recognized artists and to buy exotic woods to
use in their turnings along with our beautiful native woods.
Harriet is also active
in the Capital Area Woodturners, Apple Valley Woodturners and
the Catoctin Area Turners.
Harriet finds it
rewarding to provide turnings to be auctioned off for charitable
purposes.
Harriet’s work was
recently recognized in a hard cover book titled “Reflections of
Clarke County Virginia” featuring over 100 area artists
After my husband began his architectural woodturning business
I decided to try my hand at turning wooden bowls. I always loved
wood but never had the opportunity to work with it other than
having built several houses. Don felt I had a talent so when I
had time I would turn a few pieces which we began taking to fairs.
Because I was working
full time it was not until a few years ago that I began to expand
my woodturning.
When I work with
wood I prefer it to be as natural as possible. I do not color
my wood. I love the natural color and grain. These characteristics
help shape the outcome and purpose of the piece.
I have had no formal
training in either woodturning or art. I was raised and lived
most of my life in Round Hill, VA. None of this was available
when I was in school and working and raising 4 children left no
room or money to pursue this. However, with a good teacher (my
self-trained husband) I began to produce pieces which were admired
and purchased.
What determines the
outcome of the piece you are turning? Much is determined by the
size of the piece, its hardness (or softness), density, flaws
(which can add to its artistic quality) as well as what happens
during the turning. A mistake which sends a chunk flying can not
only completely change you original design idea but often results
in a more desirable piece. It is the wood itself which may have
a great influence on the finished piece.
Although I hope to
learn to do a little carving to enhance some pieces, especially
wood which is very bland, I still prefer to keep it as natural
as possible. My pieces can be enhanced by keeping and working
with flaws (including large holes) and especially using the natural
edge (outside edge of the tree including bark). This kind of work
is my favorite.
I prefer variety.
I turn anything from pens (seldom) and wine bottle stoppers to
large (2 feet in diameter) platters and wall hangings.
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Harriet Maloney
Wood
