When you listen to Lane Phillips, you quickly become a believer of his statement about defects and creativity. Lane said that he does not have a signature style; I beg to differ. His "signature" is found in the magnificent turnings that highlight, capture and embellish spalted wood. His understanding of spalted wood, combined with his superior finishes makes his turnings immediately recognizable and highly sought after. The demonstration started with an excellent crash course in spalting, even down to recommendations on how to create your own spalted wood. In the world of mycology (branch of botany that deals with fungus), spalting dark lines are actually live fungus. The mycelium is the vegetative part of the fungi and acts as a toxic to keep other toxics away. The species of fungus are asexual and sexual reproduction is where the spores are genetically different. Mushrooms are sexual spores. Spalting comes from this form of fungus which creates a chemical interaction. You can create your own spalting by simply throwing mushrooms into your woodpile.

Fungus also comes from weeds and is found where forests have burned to the ground. During reforesting, weeds grow and create the right condition for spalting. It is important to note that fungus goes up the tree faster than it grows around the tree. Trees such as maple are more susceptible to spalting.

Lane emphasized the right way to cut downed trees to get the best figure out of the wood. It is important to remember that the most valuable wood will be found in the crotch of the tree and you want to cut the crotch low enough to capture the best portion of the area. Therefore, make that first cut count. When cutting the trunk, take slices from the inside, first the right, then the left and repeat until you are finished. The last cut should be as low as possible above the roots and still avoiding hitting the ground. (bad news for chainsaws if you miss) A quarter sawn pattern yields the best wood and the highest figure.

Lane first learned turning techniques from Rude who was his first instructor. As a "pressure" turner, Phillips prefers to use as few tools as possible. He will have a steep grind on one side of his tool and a blunt grind of the opposite side to make one tool into two. Lane also has a 90 degree rule: the scraper is to be held flat and never goes past 90 degrees. The angle of the grind and a very blunt grind will give you a tighter turn. When it comes to using a parting tool, Lane has the largest diameter in the center of the tool and grinds off the bottom of the tool. This keeps the tool from twisting with the top side creating the necessary stability. Finally, he always sharpens the tool for that last, final cut.

Additional highlights of his demonstration were the use of stuff to cover mistakes, faults in the wood, unexpected imperfections. He glues into place everything from precious stones, brass, sawdust, un-popped popcorn, hemlock pine cones . . . you name it. Rule of thumb: pretty wood, keep the form simple; plain wood: use beads, rings and inlay. Another fine example of his "defects are the mother of creativity" belief.

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