Design and Craftsmanship
Wayne Gretzky says you miss 100 percent of the shots
you don’t take. During a good week I take a lot of shots at what
to make and how; drawings, models, mock ups. Ideally, the piece I make
communicates complexity without using it.
Once the design solution is decided on I never think to not make the
object beautifully as opposed to making something beautiful. Beauty
arises out of the intelligent and careful application, to the material
at hand, of the components of workmanship, namely: dexterity, judgment,
and shape determining systems .
I use both domestic and tropical hardwoods and spend time sourcing
the optimum lumber. I share a drying shed sheltering flitches of local
storm downed hardwoods. When the design calls for the colour or figure
of a species that is relatively scarce, I try to locate suppliers who
will certify that their timber comes from a sustainable source. To
finish most pieces I use oil and wax it, or an oil and varnish mix
rubbed and buffed.