Even though it rained for the first half of Artwalk today (Saturday), attendance was strong at Gallery Bistro. Engagement was high and the gallery was very busy for most of the day. Over 250 people visited the gallery in five hours, many of whom came back for a second (or third or fourth) look while … Continue reading Day 1 of Artwalk
In Preparation of Artwalk
Art is Now in the Trees I've installed Reaper in the tree outside of Gallery Bistro, where I'll be showing my work during Artwalk. I made signs for it, too. I've also installed Graft (table in a tree) and more signs. Newspaper Publicity I, along with Reaper was featured on the front page of the Arts section of Tri-City News in print … Continue reading In Preparation of Artwalk
Table in a Tree
Last weekend, I met with some of my fellow Artwalk participants and showed them the yellow cedar chair that I'd built to hang in the tree outside The Bistro Gallery where I will be showing my work. They loved the concept and encouraged me to make another piece for a second tree. So, that's what … Continue reading Table in a Tree
Magic Square Changed How I Work
Tolerances and precision in woodworking have been two ideas that I've been contemplating for a long time (see A Box Called "Tolerences" and A Box Called "Necessessity"). That was why Magic Square captured my attention. This video outlines the benefits of Magic Square (duration - 4:24). This is the seventeenth slide from my PechaKucha presentation.
Chair in a Tree
Saturday was a full day in the shop. After breakfast, I went down to the shop and built 90% of a chair which will be installed up in a tree. (In case you missed it, here's the back story.) I documented my progress live on Twitter using hashtag #FlairWW (follow me @FlairWoodworks) which was useful because each update … Continue reading Chair in a Tree
Include or Exclude?
Power carving is unlike working with hand tools because you can remove wood without regard for grain direction or knots. To me, this is liberating as I can focus on form. As I work, I constantly ask myself, "Do I want to save this section or obliterate it? My sculpting approach is to simply remove … Continue reading Include or Exclude?
The Value of Prototyping
Some of my recent designs have involved complex angled joinery, such as the base of this table inspired by a sketch by Vic Hubbard. I was having a hard time visualizing in my head how the joinery would work, so I built a prototype to help me understand. Since it's only a prototype to explore the mechanics … Continue reading The Value of Prototyping
#Woodchat Discusses Furniture Shows
Ten months ago, my co-host Matt Gradwohl and I retooled the weekly Twitter chat known as #Woodchat and added a video component to include more content. Last Wednesday, we talked with our guest Eli Cleveland of The Furniture Project about how to show work in a furniture show. We had a lot of questions for Eli and he … Continue reading #Woodchat Discusses Furniture Shows
Connect the Dots
Inspiration fuels me. When I am inspired, I have seemingly limitless energy. When I'm not inspired, I employ a few strategies to try to rekindle that fire. One of them is experimentation which is fun and a good way to practice woodworking. I usually start with a piece of wood about 18" long and square … Continue reading Connect the Dots
Don’t Listen to Them (Listen to Me – at Least This One Time!)
There is more information than ever available and it is easy to get caught up in it trying to figure out the best way to sharpen a plane blade, join two pieces of wood, or apply the perfect finish. The thing is, you're not the same as everybody else. Just because all your woodworking friends … Continue reading Don’t Listen to Them (Listen to Me – at Least This One Time!)
