Richard Raffan (born 1943) is a well-known woodturner, author, and instructor who has helped popularize the craft of
woodturning
Woodturning is the craft of using a wood lathe with hand-held tools to cut a shape that is symmetrical around the axis of rotation. Like the potter's wheel, the wood lathe is a simple mechanism that can generate a variety of forms. The operator ...
since the 1970s. He was a part of the "art turning" movement that saw turned objects move into galleries where they are presented as works of art. Although he has created large and valuable works of exotic woods, in his books he has also championed simple utilitarian works created for daily use. He finishes much of this work simply, using vegetable oil and beeswax, and has written admiringly of the patina of well used wooden items. "An indescribable surface that begs for a caress of the hand--that's what I think wood should provide."
He was born at
Zeal Monachorum
Zeal Monachorum (; Latin translation ''Cell of the Monks'') is a village and civil parish in the Mid Devon district of Devon, England, about north-west of Exeter, situated on the River Yeo. According to the 2001 census it had a population of ...
in Devon in the UK, lived in
Sydney,
Australia from 1947 to 1950, and returned to
Devon
Devon ( , historically known as Devonshire , ) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in South West England. The most populous settlement in Devon is the city of Plymouth, followed by Devon's county town, the city of Exeter. Devo ...
where he was raised. He emigrated to
Australia in 1982.
Books
Richard Raffan has written the following books published by
Taunton Press
Taunton Press is a publisher of periodicals, books, and websites for the hobbyist and building trades based in Newtown, Connecticut. It was established in 1975 by Paul Roman and his wife Jan.
Publications and Products
Periodicals published by ...
:
* Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Turning (2004). .
* The Art of Turned Bowls (2008). .
* Turning Bowls with Richard Raffan (2001), .
* Turning Boxes with Richard Raffan (2002). .
* Turning Projects with Richard Raffan, Third Edition (2008). .
* Turning Wood with Richard Raffan, Third Edition(2008). .
* Woodturning Basics (2007). (Contributor) Special issue of
Fine Woodworking
''Fine Woodworking'' is a woodworking magazine published by Taunton Press in Newtown, Connecticut, USA.
History and profile
The magazine began publication in 1975, with simple monochrome printing and stapled monochrome covers.
The magazine fo ...
Richard Raffan has starred in the following videos:
* The New Turning Wood DVD (2008). .
* Turning Bowls DVD (2009). .
* Turning Boxes DVD. .
* Turning Projects DVD. .
Style
Richard is known for using native Australian woods, for the architectural influences in his turned objects, and for his groupings of related objects into sets (e.g. his "Citadel" and "Tower" series of boxes, etc.)
External links
*Richard Raffan'
personal website*Richard Raffan'
YouTube channel
References
Woodturners
Living people
1943 births
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