Woodworker: Allen Jensen

These cottonwood vessels came from a tree that grew near Jensen’s home. He’s been turning local cottonwood for about 15 years, first wrapping the blanks in plastic until semi-dry, then turning them and letting them dry completely in their own chips to slow the process and prevent cracking. He says the vertical tiger-stripe figure is revealed when turning side-grain blocks, but if he had turned this wood in the end-grain orientation he’d have gotten a more horizontal figure. The walls are between 3⁄16 in. and 1/4 in. thick. From left, these vessels are 4 in. dia by 5 in. tall, 6-1/2 in. dia. by 8 in. tall, and 4 in. dia. by 3 in. tall. The finish is lacquer.