Alan Lacer (USA) Spalted beech marbled bowl 7x12cm. SignedI knew Ray from conferences and club activities in the US. He was a real inspiration for me early on with his box designs and techniques. I always enjoyed his comments on platter design and once even had the joy of co-judging with him approximately fifty or so platters at a conference. His laugher and upbeat attitude were infectious to those around him.I picked a roughed-out bowl that Ray had chosen one of his favorite forms (and mine too), the ogee. I completed the bowl and then applied my own latest exploration: marbling the outside of the bowl but leaving the inside as natural wood—in this case spalted beech. The technique of marbling entails the floating of paint on thickened water and either dipping or rolling across the surface with the woodturning. In this case I did a form of marbling often referred to as “ghost marbling.” Colors were applied, then patterned, the turning was rolled along the surface, allowed to dry, and then another surface rolling action over a new pattern. The result gives a “ghost” of the first pattern lurking behind the final marbled surface. The piece was finished on the lathe with shellac.The Ray Key Collaboration Auction