The Industrial Craftsman
ARTIST STATEMENT
Passion to create is eternal, it exists in all of us. My passion may not have been evident to my parents when I took a hand saw and cut off the corner of the living room coffee table when I was only a child. As an adolescent this passion began to reveal itself when I created my first rough impression of a chair using scrap cut-offs from my father’s renovations, at our family home, on Lake Superior, when I was just ten. I knew early in life that I wanted to create things with my hands and be able to play and explore with my imagination. Taking an image that exists only in your mind and turning that into a tangible object that you can physically feel and enjoy continues to drive me today.
I have been able to hone my creativity with education and practical experience in design and building practices. In life I have had great opportunities to gain knowledge from experienced craftsmen near and far.
My creative style is eclectic and melded by a client’s needs and aesthetical tastes. I am inspired by the time periods surrounding the Industrial Revolution. These periods and craftsmen defined a time and set in place iconic movements in history. A time where handcraftsmanship met mass production and innovative design flourished. I continually enjoy balancing design and manufacturing techniques when collaborating with clientele, honouring an age-old adage “Form Follows Function”.
Currently I design and make furniture predominantly for private residence and commercial settings in Thunder Bay, Ontario. I work primarily with wood, but not exclusively. Wood’s warm natural characteristics and aromatic scents percolate in my studio and peak the senses, continually reminding me why I love what I do.