There’s plenty for you to enjoy and learn from in this Autumn edition of the Marquetarian.
For instance, there’s a very useful article about how this year's Rosebowl winning picture was made. if you want a guide of how to go about producing a Rosebowl winning exhibit, this is not a bad place to start. Well worth a read.
This year saw the introduction of new display stands for the exhibits. They were produced by Alan Townsend of the Chelmsford Group in his workshop. And a jolly nice job Alan made of them too. Check them out.
Marquetry from Bilbao will really interest those of you who reside on the Continent. It shows that marquetry is indeed very healthy in Northern Spain. The extremely high quality of the work they produce is amazing. there's sure some talent residing over there. That's for sure.
Assembling a 60 year old marquetry kit is a very interesting article. this is where one of our Staffs Group members was presented with a marquetry kit from around the late 1950s, and was challenged to make something of it. Of course, this was a challenge not to be missed. Happily a photographic record of the build was put together and sent to your editor to form it into an interesting article, which was duly done. Well worth a read this one; the end result is very encouraging for such an old kit.
You are never too old is an article about one of our over ninety year old members who is still producing quality marquetry at a rate well into his nineties. He insists that it is the marquetry itself which is keeping him and his brain fully active. And, from looking at his work we can well believe him!
And don't forget that the 2023 Gallery puts in it's first appearance in this edition, this is along with the three judges' comments and notes to accompany the pictures. Rather interesting to see what the judges' made of each exhibit.
An article titled 'Gotcha' will very much interest those of you venturing into computer adapted marquetry, especially if you are using a laser cutter. The 'old school' certainly do frown on these new elements to the ancient craft (or art as it is now being recognised by many) but it does go to show just what these new adventures into the marquetry world can produce when given the chance. Perhaps this is a vision into marquetry's future - who knows? All things are possible.
Happily, we have found an entire half page of space (carefully done for a well filled autumn 284th edition) of our very useful identification chart of veneers. These are all unusual figuring and grain patterns. These veneers are all genuine examples taken from veneers with odd characteristics in our veneer reference library and they are all featured in accurate colours. This series will provide a rather helpful guide for you when comparing veneers for your chosen marquetry project. Part 22 is at last back on schedule (for the time being while we have been able to find a little spare space). Each veneer example featured is taken from accurate scans of the genuine veneers and carefully colour balanced against the actual veneer itself in order to ensure it matches both the printed and true veneer as far as modern technology will allow us.
But, and then again, don't forget our regular 'Readers Letters' 'Chairman's Chatter' 'Independents Corner' and much, much more.
So, as is always the case, we have yet another excellent issue for your perusal!.