Yep, you got it, J.R. That was pretty much what I pictured in my mind when I was making it. Of course, it sold and I'm not getting to sit on it anymore. On the other hand, I can afford the gin and cigars now. :-)

Uri Hoffi did a bench out of a cedar slab or rather, half the tree. I love these style of benches. I happen to find me a hunk o cedar the other day......

Hi Rich. That Saman bench is simply beautiful to say the least. I loved the refined rustic look it has. Here where I live Saman is used much on the west part of the country. And judging for the hornamental species at the back of your bench, here called ISORA,I would bet that picture was taken somewhere in S.America or Miami! Am I right rich? What is that glossy finish for outdoor, and what about sun and rain on it?

Nelson, You're almost right. Yes, the shrubbery is what you call "Isora", and what we call "Ixoria" or "Uxoria". Not Miami or S. America though, but the United States Virgin Islands. We're located in the Caribbean Sea near the top of the Antilles chain of islands, just east of Puerto Rico, or about 800km north of Caracas. 

We're in sort of an out-of-the-way location here, midway between the southern-most part of the United States and the northern-most part of Venezuela.  Our big industry on this particular island is an oil refinery owned, in part by Venezuela.  It is called Hovensa, (contracted from Hess Oil Virgin Islands and Venezuela, SA.) 

Very Well Done I like the way the seat back mimics the grain structure.

Rich it`s just amazing to see how big we think this world is, and to realiza how wrong we are. We have three islands in that beautiful Caribbean chain that extends from here to Florida U.S. Must be a paradise! I`ll post some images soon.
Shame on me,think I said already I`m bad on a computer, but I`m trying and the more I learn the more I like it. Got to say I love nature,thus my bewilderness for works in metal that show roots-like iron forge, as well as trees, leaves what have you. Paula I think is her name, showed a nice work with tree motive. Gee Rich, any time you drop by a little down south can come visit us...!
Nelson

I hope to visit some places in SA before much more time passes, Nelson. When I do finally make it to your country, I will definitely arrange to meet with you. There is so much world to see and so little time and money to see even part of it.

Sí,
But watch your Spanish,
I just learned that one of my basic food groups comes out as "little roosters" in Venezuela. A person could starve going around trying to catch little roosters.

Gene Olson
Sculptor
Elk River, MN

Hi Thomas, if you`re an 11 grader and think the way you say, I think your gonna be a champion! Not only could you make such style bench, you`ll make almost anything that you can imagen. The sky is the limit, go for it ...! Nelson.