Kauai Woodturner Robin Clark

Silk oak (Grevillea robusta), also commonly known as as silky oak, silver oak or Australian silver oak, is a flowering plant in the Proteaceae family. The tree is the largest species in the genus but is not closely related to the true oaks.  It is native to eastern coastal Australia and has become naturalized in many places including Hawaii where is it considered an invasive species.  The attractive wood (often referred to as lacewood) resembles figured oak and is used for guitars because of its tonal and aesthetic qualities.

The bowl is 13.5 x 4.5 inches and can be used for salad or fruit and can be washed with soap and water.  The hard wax finish that can be maintained by occasional application of a paste wax. 

Robin Clark is a semi-retired medicinal chemist who moved to Kauai from California in 2001.  He has subsequently pursued his long dormant interest in woodworking and makes bowls, jewelry boxes, and indoor and outdoor furniture.