ldb2000
Member
Introduction to the First Annual Russ Fairfield Challenge by Scott Greaves (Scott) ;
I have been asked to introduce the Russ Fairfield Challenge. This is a new contest for the IAP Birthday Bash this year, and it is intended to honor our friend and mentor, Russ Fairfield, who passed away January 4th 2011.
The purpose of the contest is to award those who best demonstrate an understanding of Russ's teachings in the field of penturning. What we will be looking for are the pens that best fulfill the spirit of Russ's ideas.
Many of us learned penturning "at Russ's knee." Whether through accessing his website, viewing his videos or reading his articles, many of us first found a love of making pens on the wood lathe through Russ's influence. While each of these resources will continue to be available for new generations of penturners, his voice is now silenced. And what a loss that is. Russ was always willing to answer questions by phone or on Internet forums, gently guiding us to understand and develop our talents.
It seems that Russ was always there for us to lean on, and now that he is gone we realize just how much he aided the emergence of penturning as an art over the past twenty or so years. When Jeff and I were starting the IAP, Russ was instrumental in the early stages, guiding us to a philosophy of sharing our knowledge of penturning.
Back during that same time I was writing a monthly penturning column for the woodturning magazine More Woodturning. In July of 2004 I wrote an article about Russ, the only article I ever wrote that focused on an individual rather than some penturning topic. I would like to share with you some of the things I wrote in that article about Russ.
"Russ says he's been doing woodworking for many years, and that a lathe was always a part of his shop arsenal. Somewhere along the way, he became more interested in woodturning, and we're all glad he did! The reason we're glad is that Russ has not only developed his skills as a woodturner, but he has selflessly worked to develop the skills of countless others as well!"
"His discourse on penturning . . .contains all the information you need to know about turning pens, and on into modifying stock pens to achieve different results. Thousands of good penturners began this hobby after reading information from Russ Fairfield."
"The art of penturning is really about thinking outside the box. Pen kits and the instructions that come with them are the beginning. Russ's teachings are the progression beyond this beginning. He always seems to be coming up with new and interesting ways to make an exceptional pen from ordinary parts. And he is always sharing his knowledge with those of us who haven't quite figured it out yet! A new venture for Russ this year is teaching classes at his new workshop in Post Falls Idaho."
"Lately I've been working closely with Russ on the Organizing Committee for the International Association of Penturners (IAP). While discussing proposals on officers and rules of governance, Russ has been the person who says "what if" or "why not"? He has kept the whole committee centered on the goal of putting together a new association of penturners, dedicated to education on the topics of penturning."
About two years ago I got the opportunity to visit Russ at his home in Post Falls Idaho, and to meet his lovely Wife, Gerry. He had just finished a new video, and he took me to his shop and showed me all the stages he had worked through to produce this video. He then gave me one of the pens that were featured in shooting the video. We then had a nice discussion over a glass of wine of things of little consequence, probably more gossip and BS than anything that would "shake the earth." I will truly miss Russ.
But we still have his teachings, and through the efforts of the American Association of Woodturners, who will soon be hosting his website, Russ's presence will still be with us for future generations of penturners. Visit his site at http://www.woodturner-russ.com/ , and take the time to make a pen in the spirit of Russ Fairfield to enter into this Challenge. And while you're doing so, honoring him in a way he would truly appreciate, smile, and take a moment to think of him.
Thank you.
Scott Greaves
Now , about the contest ;
This contest is open to ALL members . New members would do well to enter since it will teach you how to make your pens different and unique , and you will learn techniques that will help in all your penmaking .
The pen you make for this contest must follow the designs and teachings of Russ Fairfield , for more information on Russ's designs please go to his website , http://www.woodturnerruss.com/Pens.html and read his tutorials . There is a wealth of information about penmaking on these pages and it is advised that you read it all , you will learn many important lessons here .
You will be using any of these designs to build your pen ,
The "Russ line"
The "Fat line"
The "Long line"
Please read all of the articles on Russ's pen pages to gain a better insight into how he designed and built these pens .
Please try to keep your entry as close as possible to one of his designs but don't just copy his work , make a pen that Russ would have been proud to call one of his designs .
The Rules For The Russ Fairfield Memorial Challenge Are ;
1 - Must use a Slimline kit as a basis for this contest .
2 - The pen must be made for the contest by the person entering the contest and not have been shown before Feb 1 2011 .
3 - Winners will be chosen by how closely you follow Russ's teachings and designs as well as Fit and Finish . Take the best pictures you can since this is all we will have to judge the quality of the pen . To keep the thread to a manageable size I ask that you only post two (2) pictures per person please .
4 - A panel of judges will choose the top three pens .
I have been asked to introduce the Russ Fairfield Challenge. This is a new contest for the IAP Birthday Bash this year, and it is intended to honor our friend and mentor, Russ Fairfield, who passed away January 4th 2011.
The purpose of the contest is to award those who best demonstrate an understanding of Russ's teachings in the field of penturning. What we will be looking for are the pens that best fulfill the spirit of Russ's ideas.
Many of us learned penturning "at Russ's knee." Whether through accessing his website, viewing his videos or reading his articles, many of us first found a love of making pens on the wood lathe through Russ's influence. While each of these resources will continue to be available for new generations of penturners, his voice is now silenced. And what a loss that is. Russ was always willing to answer questions by phone or on Internet forums, gently guiding us to understand and develop our talents.
It seems that Russ was always there for us to lean on, and now that he is gone we realize just how much he aided the emergence of penturning as an art over the past twenty or so years. When Jeff and I were starting the IAP, Russ was instrumental in the early stages, guiding us to a philosophy of sharing our knowledge of penturning.
Back during that same time I was writing a monthly penturning column for the woodturning magazine More Woodturning. In July of 2004 I wrote an article about Russ, the only article I ever wrote that focused on an individual rather than some penturning topic. I would like to share with you some of the things I wrote in that article about Russ.
"Russ says he's been doing woodworking for many years, and that a lathe was always a part of his shop arsenal. Somewhere along the way, he became more interested in woodturning, and we're all glad he did! The reason we're glad is that Russ has not only developed his skills as a woodturner, but he has selflessly worked to develop the skills of countless others as well!"
"His discourse on penturning . . .contains all the information you need to know about turning pens, and on into modifying stock pens to achieve different results. Thousands of good penturners began this hobby after reading information from Russ Fairfield."
"The art of penturning is really about thinking outside the box. Pen kits and the instructions that come with them are the beginning. Russ's teachings are the progression beyond this beginning. He always seems to be coming up with new and interesting ways to make an exceptional pen from ordinary parts. And he is always sharing his knowledge with those of us who haven't quite figured it out yet! A new venture for Russ this year is teaching classes at his new workshop in Post Falls Idaho."
"Lately I've been working closely with Russ on the Organizing Committee for the International Association of Penturners (IAP). While discussing proposals on officers and rules of governance, Russ has been the person who says "what if" or "why not"? He has kept the whole committee centered on the goal of putting together a new association of penturners, dedicated to education on the topics of penturning."
About two years ago I got the opportunity to visit Russ at his home in Post Falls Idaho, and to meet his lovely Wife, Gerry. He had just finished a new video, and he took me to his shop and showed me all the stages he had worked through to produce this video. He then gave me one of the pens that were featured in shooting the video. We then had a nice discussion over a glass of wine of things of little consequence, probably more gossip and BS than anything that would "shake the earth." I will truly miss Russ.
But we still have his teachings, and through the efforts of the American Association of Woodturners, who will soon be hosting his website, Russ's presence will still be with us for future generations of penturners. Visit his site at http://www.woodturner-russ.com/ , and take the time to make a pen in the spirit of Russ Fairfield to enter into this Challenge. And while you're doing so, honoring him in a way he would truly appreciate, smile, and take a moment to think of him.
Thank you.
Scott Greaves
Now , about the contest ;
This contest is open to ALL members . New members would do well to enter since it will teach you how to make your pens different and unique , and you will learn techniques that will help in all your penmaking .
The pen you make for this contest must follow the designs and teachings of Russ Fairfield , for more information on Russ's designs please go to his website , http://www.woodturnerruss.com/Pens.html and read his tutorials . There is a wealth of information about penmaking on these pages and it is advised that you read it all , you will learn many important lessons here .
You will be using any of these designs to build your pen ,
The "Russ line"
The "Fat line"
The "Long line"
Please read all of the articles on Russ's pen pages to gain a better insight into how he designed and built these pens .
Please try to keep your entry as close as possible to one of his designs but don't just copy his work , make a pen that Russ would have been proud to call one of his designs .
The Rules For The Russ Fairfield Memorial Challenge Are ;
1 - Must use a Slimline kit as a basis for this contest .
2 - The pen must be made for the contest by the person entering the contest and not have been shown before Feb 1 2011 .
3 - Winners will be chosen by how closely you follow Russ's teachings and designs as well as Fit and Finish . Take the best pictures you can since this is all we will have to judge the quality of the pen . To keep the thread to a manageable size I ask that you only post two (2) pictures per person please .
4 - A panel of judges will choose the top three pens .
)!
