Patrick Dillon Turns Functional Bowls Into Inspiring Art
When I met Patrick Dillon at his shop in Goshen, Indiana, he told me he was a hoarder of wood. Patrick is the most organized of hoarders. Neatly tucked away in the bins and corners you will find an array of walnut, mahogany, and oak. All of the wood in his shop is found, given and a piece he has had for at least 20 years from his father.
Patrick pulled out a piece of oakfrom the back corner of his shop near the band saw. The wood he recovers has been discarded by local Amish wood workers. The Amish cabinet makers prefer straight long grains. The piece Patrick shows me is curled and gnarled feature. It has a knot of amber brown along its edge. The wood has depth of character. Patrick Dillon is a man much like the wood he was showing me full of character, depth and charm. Patrick a skilled craftsman taking the discarded scraps creates beautiful wood bowls.
Patrick said he started turning wood in eighth grade making billy clubs. “I tried to turn a bowl and lathe (in middle school). I am not sure my shop teacher was a great help. I am self-taught.” Patrick has been turning bowls for 20 years.
“I was at an auction, and they had this old Sears Lathe. I bought it for a hundred dollars and a bunch of tools to go with it. I turned out a bowl and took it to work. One guy wanted to buy it. Everyone wanted a bowl just like it. I made more of the same, and they all sold.”
Patrick says one thing led to another and soon he was displaying at local art shows. Patrick displays at art shows in Warsaw, at Leeper Park Art Fair and other shows within an hour of his shop. You can also find Patrick’s craftsmanship on display at The Local in Goshen, Indiana.
Patrick has developed a precise method for the design and execution of his bowls. I have found process allows for higher forms of creativity. He referenced a complex chart of measurements he keeps on the wall of his shop for making different sized bowls.
Patrick energetically explains the process of cutting boards into smaller pieces, forming angles and numbering pieces that form the walls of the bowl. “I do what they call segmented wood turning. I start by cutting strips of wood, and then glue them together.” He shows me how he cuts strips of wood 1/8 of an inch thicker than needed so he can take the strips to be sanded at 80 grit before gluing them together to form the pieces that look like stained glass. Patrick tells me he is not currently turning in his shop, but when he is the floor is piled high with wood shavings. His faded green wood lathe sits is a room by itself surrounded by the tools of his craft. On the lathe he turns the bowl bottoms, rolling pins and a collection of egg shaped kaleidoscopes.
If you are interested in purchasing any of Patrick’s work visit The Local in Goshen, Indiana. Contact Patrick at dillonswoodturning@yahoo.com