Comments on: You cannot get there from here…

By: Bo Jangles

Bo Jangles — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:41:13 +0000

I enjoy seeing some of your “modern” designs. Do you have photos or a portfolio?

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:24:23 +0000

Dave–books are a precious commodity as are conversations with our peers and those with the same passion for woodworking.

Journey on!

Thanks for the welcomes to all of you.

Take care, Mike

By: Sara

Sara — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:27:23 +0000

Pretty nice post. I just came by your blog and wanted to say
that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your posts. In any case
I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon!

By: Dave Pearce

Dave Pearce — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:59:44 +0000

Hi Mike,

Nice blog! Glad to see you’ve taken the leap. On the topic of design, you’re hitting the nail on the head of where I am right now. My knowledge in all things design-wise is severely lacking. I’ve recently started picking up books on design. Still got a long way to go though. I know what looks good to my eye, but getting there, well, that’s the journey.

Unfortunately, I probably won’t be able to attend the WIA conferences, so I’ll have to be content with what I find through books and the odd conversation with fellow woodworkers.

By: Bob Rozaieski

Bob Rozaieski — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:03:09 +0000

Hey Mike! Glad to see you’ve set up a blog. I’ll be sure to add a link on my web site.

I too feel that there is a lot in the design of the piece. While, I’m not personally into the contemporary stuff, I do like to design my own early American style pieces rather than copy an existing piece. This gives us the opportunity to make improvements, take the best features from several pieces, and add our own character into a piece. This has long been my problem with working from published plans. Sure, you can make nice furniture from them, but a piece built from someone else’s plans lacks your character and personality. That’s what I think separates furniture from art.

By: Bill Melidones

Bill Melidones — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:52:46 +0000

Mike,

I’m waiting to see if I got selected to hunt this year, then maybe I’ll sign up. So many things to do, so little time and money. You might consider taking a class at Marc Adams’ school with Michael Fortune. He loves curves, and will talk with you, not at you while discussing your designs.

Bill

By: tom

tom — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:14:52 +0000

I like to comment on the vacuum theory. I have been taking classes for years for this exact reason. I push myself to create something challenging and different. I could do this on my own, but the energy isn’t so easily tapped. The hard part is when you create something and the rest of the class wonders what planet you are from. I am finding that blogs like yours and the woodworking internet, maybe the inspiration I need.

Good luck and continue to write. Please get an RSS feed.

Thanks,
Tom

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:47:10 +0000

To All,

First, thank you for the welcome to the blogging world.

Second, I would like to thank the person who took the time to email me with some suggested edits to the post above. I have made a couple of the edits so the post reads a little better.

I cannot agree more with Zeebub. A wide appreciation of the arts, the observation of nature and broad reading is necessary for an active mind.

I would add, in the context of the post, taking the opportunity to challenge our sense of design, to rub shoulders with others who seek to be better aware of design, is a worthwhile thing for us to shed a little blood for.

The hound’s hind quarters thing is a bit disturbing though

Take care, Mike

By: B.L. Zeebub

B.L. Zeebub — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:06:23 +0000

I too am an expat graphic designer cum woodbutcher. By all and any means GO to the conference. You will at least breathe the same heated and hopefully heady air of other like minds. Wear suitably comfortable clothing and prepare you liver for an assault afterward. Inspiration also abhors a vacuum. I’ve learned to take mine from reading, music, pine bark and the sinuous curve my hound’s hind quarters. Go figure. BUT Go!

always,
The Dark One

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:48:45 +0000

Mike,
I hope you make it to St. Charles with enough blood left to enjoy it all! I will be there as an exhibitor but would really like to be an attendee also.
Dave