RIPPLE RIVER WOODTURNING
Bob Carls, Craftsman
Lathe-turned vessels crafted from
the world’s most beautiful woods
Black and Red Bowl Set by Bob Carls
Turned, sandblasted , dyed and painted
green ash
Photo by Peter Lee
Ripple River Woodturning Studio
Bob Carls is a full-time studio artist who
creates both functional and decorative lathe-turned and carved
wood vessels and sculptural objects. Bob works with some of the
world’s most beautiful woods, including those harvested
from the woodlands surrounding his studio in northern
Minnesota.
Bob brings to his work a lifetime studying
art forms that range from improvisational music to the visual
arts, especially photography, sculpture and film.
“My work focuses on function or
implied function, acknowledging the history of the vessel.
I strive for continuity,
historical context and a
high level of workmanship.”
Spanish Olive & Box Elder Fluted
Bowls by Bob Carls
5-6” diameter—starting at $90
depending on wood
Photo by Peter Lee
Each wood vessel is individually
handcrafted through a process that begins with finding the
ideal piece of wood, drying the wood to a workable state,
roughing out a basic shape and then rough-turning the bowl or
vessel to a thickness of one to two inches to facilitate
drying. After the rough-turned vessel has dried sufficiently,
the piece is turned to a thickness of about 1/8 of an inch.
Next, finish is applied and the bowl or vessel is rubbed out
with finer and finer grades of sandpaper and steel wool to
develop the satin-smooth texture characteristic of fine
woodturning.
Bob shows and sells his work at juried arts
events across Minnesota, at a few select fine craft galleries
and at Ripple River Gallery. Work ranges in price from $20
spinning top sets to tall lidded jars in the $1500 and up
range. Contact Ripple River Gallery for the current selection
of one-of-a-kind wooden bowls and vessels. Custom and corporate
gift orders are welcome.
Tall Cottonwood Jar by Bob Carls
Turned cottonwood, ebony handle, 17”
tall
Photo by Peter Lee
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Turned wood vessels by Bob Carls have
earned numerous awards and can be found in the permanent
collections at The Minnesota State Historical Society, Waterloo
Art Museum, Waterloo, Iowa; Waage Center, Fergus Falls, MN; and
in corporate and private collections worldwide.
Bowls and Presentation Boxes by Bob Carls
Boxes: 4x4x3”H, Bowls: 2.5”
Hx3.5” diameter (approx.)
Sets start at $120 depending on wood
Contact us at ripriv@mlecmn.net for current
information about availability of art work pictured on these
pages, similar pieces or custom orders. Shipping available.
For a selection of work currently
available from Ripple River Studios visit…
Birch Bowl Set by Bob Carls
Turned, steamed and shaped birch
Photo by Peter Lee
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Copyright 2009 ® Ripple River Gallery