Defined By Experience
I pay respect to the process and material through years of preparation. My goal is to create meaningful pieces that will age gracefully with you and your family, generation after generation.
As a child, I was constructing and finishing garden trellises with my father, using the scraps to make swords and shields for the neighborhood regiment.
By my teens I was taking my first woodshop class, being exposed to precision, accuracy, and thoughtful process of work. My horizons had been widened.
As a young man I had already worked in two different workshops, learning the difference between timeless design, and short thought cash grabs. I was given a choice to make.
As a college student I completed a three year formal apprenticeship in woodworking learning the skills of hand cutting joinery and composing a design. I owe Western Michigan University, Mainly Brad Smith for that. During this time I completed a body of work inspired by greats such as George Nakashima, Tage Frid and James Krenov.
Currently I am a high school educator expounding on the design process in its entirety. I believe all good design is rooted in solving a problem. What problems can I solve for you?
Rooted in Function
Sticking drawers, pealing veneers, and disintegrating Particle board are what have driven me to learn this trade. The mere thought that it can be done better has driven me to honor the materials through thoughtful research and designing with its qualities on the forefront. If a piece does not serve its function, It does not serve. By starting the design process with pure function in mind, aesthetic reveals itself.
With that being stated, attention to the golden ratio and classic proportions cannot be deemphasized. Mathematics is the language of nature. Why ignore such a fact when utilizing such a precious natural resource?
Committed to growth
I teach Craftsmanship as a never ending pursuit. There are lessons along the way that define you. Cross roads that force you to make choices. This journey is what defines your work and its worth. Every piece produced is an opportunity to learn, grow, and become better than you were yesterday. The only way you can stray from success is by ignoring the feedback you receive from each experience. This is what makes a craftsman worth their weight. Do not stray from the challenges, embrace them. It’s a new opportunity to hone your skill and become the best version of yourself.