2012 was another memorable year for me. Here are some of the highlights:
More magazine articles published!
In March, an article I co-wrote with Calgarian woodworker Charles Mak was featured in issue #74 of Australian Wood Review.
In the December/January 2013 issue of Canadian Woodworking & Home Improvement, I had two articles published (two articles in a single issue is a new record for me!).
Morgan Holt named Master of the Southwest
Morgan Holt of EarthArt Landscape gave me my first big job in 2008 when he commissioned me to make a bubinga table top for a dining table that was to become part of an extensive backyard renovation in Phoenix, Arizona. I was grateful for the opportunity to work with Morgan and it remains one of the best experiences of my life.
In March, Morgan was awarded with the title of Master of the Southwest, a title he undoubtedly deserves. Working with him, I feel that he is indeed worthy of the recognition. What I noticed was his impeccable attention to detail, his thorough understanding of the materials, his ability to envision and comunicate his ideas, and his skills to work with clients and contractors to complete the build (these attributes really are not that different from that of a good woodworker).
Morgan and I have remained friends since the project. He is a hobbyist woodworker and reads and comments on my blog.
Relationship Study
On April 15, I started what would eventually be realized as a trestle table and probably the most ambitious, boldest, and challenging thing I had ever built. The entire process was documented with a 31-session Tweet-Along spanning three months.
The table was titled Relationship Study (and is available in my Store).
Woodworking In America and Hand Tool Olympics, and woodworking attractions!
October was a busy month for me. I attended Woodworking In America where I gave away bench dogs for Time Warp Tool Works and had a blast competing in Hand Tool Olympics. After Woodworking in America, my friend Paul-Marcel and I visited other art/woodworking attractions including Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Paul Schurch’s woodworking shop.
Then we returned to his place in Phoenix, Arizona where I was able to spend a few days, unsupervised, in a shop full of expensive and fancy tools making a wooden lock mechanism that came to me in a flash of inspiration.
Haircut!
At the end of October, I cut my hair for the first time in three years to donate to Locks of Love.
Experimenting with other mediums.
For a long while, I have wanted to explore mediums other than wood and in November I did my first resin casting, for Deconstructed.
Congrats on the accomplishments for the year. You are definitely on your way.
Thanks, Mike!
Cool , I for one love watching your progression as an “Artistic-Craftsmen” as well as our friendship.
A selfless persons eager to share himself and his knowledge -as you do every day- is very rare in my eyes, I knew there had a reason behind the hair loss (of course it was to help ones in need:)
Best wishes for the New Year and I will be watching what comes out that head next;)
Cheers and some Brown Beers my Friend.
One who works with his hands is a Labourer
One who works w his hands and head a Craftsmen
One who works with his hands his head and his heart is an ARTIST
Hi Dan,
I am very grateful to have such a knowledgeable and experienced woodworker as yourself as a good friend. Thanks for your support!
Chris
Chris,
Right back at You Sir :)
Ever forward my friend!
Danny
Chris.. Your work is awesome!! Donna ODonnell
Thank you, Donna.
Chris