Box Elder Hollow Vessel

This "painted lady" is made of Box Elder, a poor cousin of the sugar maple. The beautiful red color is a nonspecific reaction of this species to injury. That color tends to fade over the years but is wonderful while it lasts. I guess we all tend to fade over time.

A more experienced woodturner pointed out to me that spectacular wood grain or color fades over time and if your design was not pretty you won't have much left at the end. Yet if the design was sound then it takes our memory back to the time when we and it were in our prime. This vessel measures six inches by six inches and would make a lovely accent piece. I think Box Elder deserves a better reputation than it currently has.