ABOUT
My evolution into furniture making began in 1988 when I graduated from Parsons School of Design, in New York City, with a BFA in graphic design.
From New York City I moved to Nantucket Island and gave my graphic design new life by building and hand painting wooden signs for local businesses. Over the course of 11 years, I developed my woodworking skills by making and installing signs in the historic district and working as a carpenter for a local property caretaking company.
After relocating to Northampton, I enrolled in the Hill Institute of Florence Massachusetts, where I earned my Master Furniture Maker certificate. Under the guidance of Russ Loomis, I learned traditional furniture making techniques such as hand cutting mortise & tenon joinery, veneering, and carving. Using hand tools and traditional methods I create heirloom quality furniture and functional pieces of art.
While completing my Master Furniture Maker Certificate I worked at a family
owned home design center. As lead designer I designed kitchens, baths and home
offices, which honed my analytical and design skills. I have since executed many
architectural projects and built-ins.
Working with wood is an exercise in anticipating change. Since I work from rough sawn wood, I've learned to see through the rough, uneven surface, past the surface dirt and damage to see the finer, subtle grain patterns. When I begin working the wood, the texture of the surface is transformed. The colors of the wood change with air and sun exposure, even with the application of a clear finish. The challenge is knowing what to expect, and to expect that something will happen to change everything.
When designing, I first consider proportion and functionality. Since I have been
trained in the classics, my work is grounded in the Federal Period and Arts & Crafts
genres. I do not copy any one piece of furniture. Instead, I research the period to
create my own furniture designs.
Before crafting my pieces, I always create detailed drawings by hand that serve as my road map. Though, I'm open to changes and allow my pieces to morph in the process of building.
The colors in my work are typically the natural colors of the woods that I use. When selecting boards, I pay careful attention to color and grain pattern. With certain varieties of wood, such as Tiger Maple and Quartersawn Oak, I use dyes and stains to showcase unique grain patterns. Colors and grain patterns are arranged for maximum visual effect.
While incorporating typical Federal Period and Arts & Crafts style design elements, I also create my own designs for decoration. My education and interest in typography informs my work. The decorative elements on many of my pieces are inspired by letterforms and punctuation marks.
I sign each piece with my hand carved maker's mark, on furniture pieces I include
the last two numbers of the year in which it was completed.