Roger Bennett (Ireland) rippled ash bowl with coloured rim, decorated with gold inlay 5x15cm. SignedLong before I actually met Ray, I was a big admirer of his work. I loved his sophisticated, subtle designs, his less-is-more aesthetic, and I was in awe of his turning skills. I saw him demonstrate a couple of times: always totally in control of his tools and material, and a natural communicator.I got to know him when we both exhibited in the Crafts Council's Origin Fair at Somerset House in 2007 and 2008. I have very warm memories of his friendliness and kindness, his interest in what and how I was doing. It was marvellous too to have the opportunity to talk to him about his own work and career. Bert Marsh and himself were a wickedly entertaining double act whenever they both wandered over to my stand!I felt very honoured when I was invited to participate in this fantastic project. I chose a small ash bowl. Not wanting to interfere with Ray's lovely shape, I simply trued it and turned it down to an appropriate thinness. To finish it in my “own style”, I coloured the rim and inlaid seventy-six dots of 18-carat gold in celebration of the years of Ray's life.I was very sorry when I heard that Ray had passed away. He is greatly missed by the woodturning community. My condolences to Liz and his family on their sad loss.The Ray Key Collaboration Auctionn