After learning to traditionally turn cabinetmaking (table legs, style, balusters) performed in 1972, Jean-Francois Escoulen is moving gradually towards the creation of unique pieces. His mastery of thin turning and eccentric turning led him to share his knowledge around the world. His encounters with turners of different countries gave him the opportunity to refine techniques and creations.
- 1982 : Best Craftsman of France.
- 1992 : 2nd prize in the competition Artisa “l™Air du Temps” and Alpexpo trophy.
- 1993 : Prize of the city of Cagnes-sur-Mer, creation of the first eccentric mandrel.
- 1996 : Resident ITE (International Turning Ex-change) in Philadelphie. Wharton Esherik Museum Price (USA).
- 1997 : Lecturer at the World Turning conferences in Philadelphia. Departmental price SEMA.
- 97-99-02-05 : Demonstrator at the annual meeting of the American Turners.
- Since 1998 : Teaches turning in Europe, Israel, Australia, Canada, USA, Japan.
Exhibited in galleries, private collections
- Departmental Grand Prize of Art Professions.
- Teaches multiaxis turning in Arrowmont School / Tennessee (USA).
- 2000 and 2003: Co-organizer of the World Day of Turning Art in Puy St Martin.
- 2004: Prize Artinov (business innovation category). Creation of reverse ball mandrel.
- 2006-2007-2008 : Organizes “les Petites Journ©es de l™Arrondi”.
- 2007: Creating the third mandrel, to allow a misalignment of a cup and a counterweight.
- 2009: Audience Award ex-quo and Breville Artists prize (Charente). Resident at the Congress of American Turners.
Since 2010, building on his experience and his national and international reputation, Jean-Francois Escoulen and his wife Monique Escoulen, cabinetmaker, joined to the municipality at Aiguines to start a new adventure in Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur : the Jean-Francois-Escoulen woodturning school.
Session 2: How to use an eccentric chuck:
I want to show you how to turn a box with 3 axes using an eccentric chuck which is my own design. In this demo, I explain the different principles and possibilities you can achieve with this chuck.
Session 1: How to turn an eccentric trembleur.
A trembleur is a French exercise from the XVIII century. The woodturner has to turn a long and thin piece using a “steady” and a “string steady”. It’s not only a technical exercise but also helps to study the different renaissance shapes.
I want to show this technique but with different axes
To turn between centers with different axes, you don’t need special chucks or accessories. Only a drive center and live center. With this technique, you can turn many objects like candlesticks, corkscrews, table legs...
