Author: Chris Wells

Preparing ribs for a second lute body. Fortunately, I already have the (perspex) templates. The wood is Yew; the soundboard will made be of European Spruce, or King William Pine.

Here is the final practice run – before I tackle the real thing. The scrap of  wood is Huon Pine.
Still a bit rough, but getting less rough…so I tell myself.

This project fulfills Dad’s philosophy of ‘bit by bit’. I devote a maximum of  fifteen minutes each day to the sawing of  Pink Gum, the toughest wood around.
It also illustrates the associated observation: ‘less is more’.
I envisage three boat sculptures (assuming the wood is sound) –  and on the way, get plenty of time to think about what might be….

Utagawa Hiroshige (1797 – 1858)
Uraga in Sagami Province

Utagawa Hiroshige (1797 – 1858)
Fan Print
Raft and Full Moon

Utagawa Hiroshige (1797 – 1858)
Autumn Moon at Seto

Utagawa Hiroshige  (1797 – 1858)
The Ishiyakushi Temple at Ishiyakushi (from The 53 Stations of the Tokaido)

Utagawa Hiroshige (1797 – 1858)
The Satta Pass at Yui  (from The 53 Stations of the Tokaido)

My little fleet of spoons embarked on an exploratory voyage – and after a month or so, returned intact. I have to admit, I was relieved to get them back: they look at home in the Boatshed….

It was quite a storm. The coastal wattles (Acacia sophorae) stood firm. Our Shack and Boatshed did not budge. High seas, high winds and high tides made things interesting.