Woodworker: Terry Sullivan
President’s Award

Sullivan credits chairmaker and friend Russ Filbeck for many years spent teaching him the ins and outs of chairmaking. This is Sullivan’s first rocking chair and it was a long time coming. After making the cherry rocker (43 in. deep by 26 in. wide by 46 in. tall) with a hickory bark woven seat, he let it sit for two years so the cherry would deepen in color before finishing it. He then sanded in two coats of Liberon oil at 220 grit, then two more at 320 grit, and finally polished it with Liberon Bison wax applied with 0000 steel wool, followed by buffing. Someday the rocker will belong to Sullivan’s granddaughter, Alexis, who just started taking woodworking classes with Filbeck at Palomar College.

The Design in Wood exhibition, presented by the San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association and the San Diego County Fair, is held every June and July. With more than 350 entries, it is the biggest show we know of and the talent is superb. This piece is a winner from the 32nd show.