Hayley Smith (USA) rippled ash bowl with decorated rim 3x14cm. SignedI knew Ray in my formative years woodturning, before moving to the States. Ray was very supportive of my work by means of advice and encouragement, and when I started exhibiting at Chelsea Crafts Fair in the 90’s, he would drop by my booth and share some of his technical expertise, or share anecdotes about woodturning in the States.I live in Arizona, so when I received the piece I had to carefully dry it before turning it. “Dry” in England is very different to “dry” in Arizona where we often have single digit humidity! The piece moved a fair bit and I preserved Ray’s form as much as was possible. I do alot of transformative surface work on my own pieces, and I did not want to overwhelm the collaboration and loose Ray’s piece in my own work. I choose a simple surface treatment on the rim that acts as a frame to the wood’s grain and does not detract from the form of the piece. Straightforward, just like Ray.The Ray Key Collaboration Auction