Furniture Pieces in Phoenix Galllery in Centennial, WY
This summer Linda Taylor who owns the Phoenix Gallery in Centennial, WY invited me to put some furniture pieces in her wonderful gallery that showcases local artists. The gallery is a gem of a surprise, nestled in behind The Trading Post. Stop by and see her impressive collection of local art! I believe she has a holiday show as well and I will post that once I know more. I hope everyone had a great fall!
Pronghorn Fawn plant stand ; reclaimed barn wood; 10 1/2" x 9 1/2" x 26".
Skinny Buffalo Coffee Table; reclaimed barn wood; 47" x 21 1/2" x 16"; 2011; Meg Thompson.
Reclaimed Joists turned into bartop
Installed bartop
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- Fitting bow-ties
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- Bartop in shop
This bartop was made from reclaimed joists removed from an old factory building in Gowanus during a renovation. The couple I did the bar from live just a block from the building I rescued them from. The pictures show the joists before being planed down and cleaned up; cutting the joinery for the bow-tie joint that prevents further checking; and after many coats of finish was applied.
Scottish Highlander Bovine Buffet
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- Scottish Bovine Buffet, pull detail
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- Scottish Bovine Buffet open detail
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- Scottish Bovine Buffet side detail
This buffet was made for a couple in Brooklyn, NY. I get many designs features from the natural world and animals. I usually name my furniture pieces after the animals that inspired them. Recently I’ve been into Scottish Highland cows, as evident of the design of this piece: the legs of the buffet have hoof-like feet on them, the color of the oxidized parts of wood is ruddy red like the cows, and the curved top emulates a cow’s curved belly. The clients wanted to incorporate a modern industrial aesthetic to tie in with their other furnishings, so I used steel for the door panels and finished them with a dark patina. All joinery is mortise and tenon.
Custom Business Sign
A client in Jackson Hole commissioned me to make a business sign for his office. He requested a Western aesthetic, but with a modern touch. He also wanted some aspect to reflect the history and sense of place of the area. I chose a font that was used on the old National Park Service posters made through the WPA program as part of the New Deal. I hand lettered the font, as it is not available electronically.
This historical tie is especially relevant as Teton National Park was created in part because Rockefeller financed the Snake River Land Company as a cover organization to buy land from locals who didnt want to sell to Rockefeller for fear of the land being given over to the government (and thus families losing the option of working the land). And one of the ultimate factors that lead to the creation of Teton National park was that many families ended up having to sell their land in order to make it through the Great Depression. While most are glad Teton National Park was preserved and did not fall prey to modern day subdividing, it is still a history steeped in complicated social layers. This historical tie seemed applicable to the county’s public defender.
The wood is reclaimed barn wood (pine) and the frame is weld steel treated with a multi-colored patina to give the frame some tonal depth.
Atilla’s Trusty Steed
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- Atilla’s backside
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- Atilla’s Trusty Steed
Atilla’s trusty Steed; 4′ x 2′ x 34″; 2010. This “workhorse” butcher block was made for a client in San Fransico. The butcherblock top is maple. The rest of the table is made from reclaimed pine and fir. The drawer handle and towel bar on the end are made from copper pipes. An enclosed knife sheath hangs at the back, engraved with the alchemical symbol for “compose.” The client requested a steam punk butcher block design that would create more usable space in his small kitchen. I have been told that the meals are coming out very well.
Snowglobe: Fenced In
"Fenced In"
My friend commissioned this piece as a wedding gift for her friends. I am told it sparked hours of conversation among the family. I’m pleased to hear it.
“Fall Creek”
"Fall Creek"
This is a custom piece a customer ordered as a gift for her father– it is an imaged scene based on a place in Wyoming he has a strong attachment to- the view of Fall Creek running through Wilson, Wyoming with Nora’s Fish Creek Inn nearby. 9″ x 12″, ink and watercolor on rice paper, custom frame made of reclaimed barn wood (Eastern Pine).
Snow Globe series newest additions
These are in my homemade snow globe series which depicts the harsh realities of living in the Western landscape in contrast to our romanticized visions. Here are three new additions: “Stuck Truck”, “Labor begins in a Snowstorm”, and “Cow and Calf.”
“Labor Begins in a Snowstorm” was in a group show in the summer of 2010 for former residency artists at School of Visual Arts: “Abstract Intentions” curated by Keren Moscovitch and David Gibson. Calving time in the Rockies is often in the spring and inevitably there are many spring snowstorms to contend with. This scene shows a woman rancher trying to get a pregnant cow into cover before she calves. The cow doesn’t want to go anywhere, obviously.
9’6″ Custom Entryway Table
9'6" Entryway table
click for detail