Replies

1. 
   RalphBarker | Sep 09, 2009 05:12pm | #1

   Sad news, indeed.

2. 
   Timberwerks | Sep 09, 2009 05:25pm | #2

   A nice video of JK, http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/22/HOUA13K01J.DTL

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   Edited 9/9/2009 12:06 pm by Timberwerks

3. 
   flairwoodworks | Sep 09, 2009 05:40pm | #3

   What an awful way to start my day. And what an awful year - first Sam, and now...

   Chris @ www.flairwoodworks.com
   and www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com)

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

1. 
   dustymctevish | Sep 09, 2009 07:54pm | #4

   With the passing of Sam Maloof causing an end to an era and now James Krenov. A vacuum has enveloped the woodworking field for sure.  

4. 
   roc | Sep 10, 2009 05:02am | #5

   I very much regret having never met either James Krenov or Mr. Maloof in person. From books and videos I feel I know them some what. From what I have seen and read I could do well to keep these two gentlemen in mind when working with people and working with my hands.

   For me they are role models of the first order.

   roc

   Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )

1. 
   RJT | Sep 11, 2009 04:22am | #6

   These (Sam Maloof and James Krenov) were two of my most admired woodworkers/artists. George Nakashima was another one. About 10 years ago being in the New Hope area I happened to visit the studio of George Nakishima and met his daughter who actively kept up the craft. She was very down home and comfortable to be around. The studio grounds were exhilarating. To have been where George walked, and where daughter keeps it going was inspiring. These are truly masters that will not be eclipsed for many generations. I think what differentiates them from most of us is that they were in love with the work, not the tools.

1. 
   Napie | Sep 11, 2009 06:30pm | #7

   I think we should also remember Tage Frid.  He was the “practical” side of the equation who placed proper construction techniques at the center of his teaching.   <!----><!----><!---->

1. 
   Buster2000 | Sep 11, 2009 09:30pm | #9

   Frid was the practical guy, he did a lot of cool furniture but he seems to be remembered more for his instruction rather than his design.

   It's funny how different Nakashima, Frid, Maloof, and Krenov were and at the same time so similar.  They all brought something different to the the same craft.

2. 
   withthegrain | Sep 11, 2009 07:02pm | #8

   I was lucky enough to be part of a visit that James Krenov made to the art school I was working at back in the mid 80's. I picked him up at the airport and then we spent a couple of hours drinking a couple of beers at the hotel bar. He was as imspirational in person as he was in print. He kindly asked repeated questions about my own work and told several funny stories about his book "tour". The next day he gave a slide show and judged handplanes made by several of the attendies. I know he wasn't always happy while on the road but he was kind and genorous for the two days I hung out with him. Those two days changed me in many ways. The words "Master Woodworker" seemed to be overused a lot thes days but in my eyes he was truly a Master and a fellow human that I admired a great deal. My sympathies are with his family. Us woodworkers lost one of the most unique voices we have.

5. 
   YesMaam27577 | Sep 12, 2009 03:18am | #10

   Frid, Nakashima, Maloof, soon Krenov.

   Is it just me, or is there a big void?

   I won't be laughing at the lies when I'm gone,
   And I can't question how or when or why when I'm gone;
   I can't live proud enough to die when I'm gone,
   So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here. (Phil Ochs)

1. 
   hamelech | Sep 12, 2009 05:32am | #11

   The flip side is the opportunity for someone else to fill that void. Lemme throw this out there. Krenov and Maloof's style are very distinct, of course. But it stands to reason that having found their "voice", they were only going to continue exploring within it, not beyond it.Look at a Maloof rocking chair, and know that not much more development would have been done with it. I would think that sensible Sam, having reached a form that he enjoyed, would then determine how to produce it quickly . Repetition of a design is one element of mass production.Krenov's chest on legs, though of different wood species and proportions, become studies in variation, which is not the same as a second Krenov style language.The "next" style language will be someone who doesn't require acknowledging the masters of the past. We'll probably disregard his/her work at first, because the voice isn't comfortable to our ears, yet.Cheers,Seth

1. 
   TinaK | Sep 12, 2009 05:46am | #12

   Seth, I believe and hope that what you predict will surely happen. It will be exciting to watch.And let's be clear, James Krenov made many different kinds of pieces, not all of them cabinets on legs. Clocks, wall-cabinets, desks, chess tables etc. come to mind.

1. 
   Timberwerks | Sep 12, 2009 06:12am | #13

   His work has inspired so many. I'm grateful he had written and shared so much of his knowledge and passion with us all. He will truly be missed and never forgotten.Timberwerks Studio Blog 

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