During the woodturning renaissance of the 1970's, one man emerged as the primary inspiration for scores of woodturners. His name was Bob Stocksdale. Unpretentious and extraordinarily talented, Stocksdale was a master at finding the natural beauty in wood for his functionally elegant bowls. His love for exotic timbers, his careful attention to selecting just the right piece and his gifted use of simple tools were the trademarks that gained him celebrity status and set the standard for excellence in the contemporary wood art movement. In 1987, author Ron Roszkiewicz had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend a week in Stocksdale's home workshop. Written directly from transcribed audiotapes recorded during a week-long interview with the master woodworker, this tribute to Bob Stocksdale reveals his life experiences, philosophies and often replicated turning methods, all in his own words. A private artist who lived quietly and was not widely written about, Stocksdales lifelong quest for the perfect bowl is chronicled, while select step-by-step, how-to tips for fellow craftsmen are detailed. Featuring a gallery of beautiful, never-before-seen photographs sure to inspire artists, this unique biography provides the masters advice on tools - including lathes, band saws and jointers - sharpening devices and wood selection, as well as his business tips for pricing, selling and shipping finished pieces. A portrait of a beloved and respected artisan, this guide offers the first in-depth look at the man behind the perfect wooden bowl.