Replies

1. 
   flairwoodworks | Nov 13, 2008 08:38am | #1

   In the carving department, Brad Sells is one of my favourites.  www.bradsells.com

   For furniture, there aren't too many that stand out from the crowd, sadly enough.  Maloof is one.  I like his rocking chairs and staircases especially, but don't care for some of his other work.  I like George Nakagawa's simple designs.

   Perhaps I will think of some less well-known names...

   Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

1. 
   RickL | Nov 13, 2008 04:01pm | #2

   http://www.furnituresociety.org/zen/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1

   Personally Maloof is my least favorite Studio Furniture maker. Folks like http://www.johncederquist.com/ , Judy Mckie, Wendell Castle, Gord Peteran  http://www.cranbrookart.edu/museum/peteran.html , http://wendymaruyama.com/home.html, http://www.silaskopf.com and so many others in the Furniture Society as well are doing amazing work and would be virtually unknown for the most part. American Craft profiles a lot of these artists as well and http://www.woodwork-mag.com

   A few have been in FWW but for the most part the FWW crowd prefers more traditional work.

   See also http://www.cambiumbooks.com/books/studio_furniture/

   Demakersvan's Cinderella Table is quite the piece...

   http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A31431&page_number=1&template_id=1&sort_order=1

   http://www.straightlinedesigns.com/

   Edited 11/13/2008 8:28 am ET by RickL

   Edited 11/13/2008 8:32 am ET by RickL

1. 
   flairwoodworks | Nov 13, 2008 10:14pm | #4

   Rick,

   While I respect the work done by the artists you linked to, much of it doesn't do too much for me.  But that's what makes it art - it's controversial.  You love it, I don't.

   I did like the Cindarella table.  A very unusual approach to say the least.  It looks like it's made of solid wood, looking at the variations in grain - not veneered.

   I have seen the work of Judson Beaumont of Straight Line Designs.  Infact, he lives not too far from me! I would call most of his work novel.  He does a good job however of blending art with furniture.  Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

1. 
   RickL | Nov 13, 2008 10:18pm | #6

   The Cinderella Table by Demakersvan is done with plywood on a CNC and is a composite of styles.  Look up http://www.demakersvan.com 

   Edited 11/13/2008 4:49 pm ET by RickL

1. 
   Woodman41 | Nov 14, 2008 04:21am | #7

   Thanks everyone, this is a good list of links.

2. 
   EarlKelly | Nov 13, 2008 04:22pm | #3

   In regards to Sculptural wood Art, I like Hunt Clark - http://www.huntclark.com/sculptural.html

   Kerry Vesper is doing some nice wall Art. http://www.kerryvesper.com/

   There are so many fine Furniture Makers that have great work it would be hard to choose. One that has caught my eye is Jake Cress - http://www.jakecress.com he is a Traditional styled Furniture maker but he has a Whimsical twist to some of his work.

   Earl

   Furniture...the Art of a FurnitureMaker
1. 
   flairwoodworks | Nov 13, 2008 10:16pm | #5

   Earl,

   Running with your sculptural topic, check out Conrad Sarzynick's work http://www.vancouverwoodarts.com/artists/sarzynick/sarzynick.htm.

   I have seen Kerry Vesper's work and do like it very much.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

1. 
   EarlKelly | Nov 14, 2008 06:32pm | #9

   Chris, Those pieces are interesting very much in the range of what I like. Too bad he only has those 3 pieces on his web page. What are your thoughts on Furniture as Sculpture? In other words Furniture that is Sculptural in design with minimal or no Functional aspect featured. Something like a bridge between Furniture and Art.EarlFurniture...the Art of a FurnitureMaker

1. 
   flairwoodworks | Nov 14, 2008 07:45pm | #10

   Earl,

   While clearly art and not furniture, Conrad's work is perhaps more engaging.  When I see that kind of work, I take a step back and have a good look at it from all angles, trying to decide what I see in it.  His attention to detail is phenomenal - the best I've seen.  For that, I envy him.

   I am all for a merging of sculpture and furniture.  Have a look at the Cindarella table Rick posted if you haven't already.  I view the bubinga table I did with Morgan as furniture with a little bit of sculpting.  I would like to incorporate more sclupting into some of my future work.  There will be some on my workbench which I am currently working on.  I like most of my work to have some function.  I tried to talk Conrad into adding a drawer or a hook to one of his sculptures to make it functional.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

3. 
   WillGeorge | Nov 14, 2008 05:37am | #8

   You asked so I will respond.

   I for one like Norms and David Marks projects.. AND I sort of like the things I make!