Born in Hanover, NH, raised in Massachusetts, and for the last 36 years a resident of coastal Maine, my roots and traditions are solidly New England. This heritage is reflected in my designs and workmanship, with a style grounded in traditional New England and Shaker forms. My career began with an apprenticeship in boatbuilding here in Maine, and for about five years I did primarily boat work, building new and repair, in boatyards and independently. But for the past thirty years I have been crafting furniture and interior cabinets. From my one-man shop, I build high quality, made to order pieces for customers throughout the country. I am also concerned with fostering the trade and handcrafts, and have organized shows and workshops, demonstrated in classrooms, and taught at a furniture making school. I am a past president of the Maine Woodworkers Association. More recently, I have written six articles for Fine Woodworking magazine (cover boy in April, 2000 & March 2009!), and had projects included in several publications. My wife, Jennifer, and I have two children. Some highlights: EDUCATION: Phillips Academy (Andover, MA) (1964); Oberlin College (Oberlin, OH), BA degree (1968) CRAFTS EDUCATION: Self taught in furniture and cabinetmaking; apprenticeship in boatbuilding at the Apprenticeshop (Bath, ME) (1975-77) ORGANIZATIONS: Maine Woodworkers Assn., 1983-present (President, 1990-93, Exec. Board, 1989-95); Maine Crafts Assn. (1986-present); JURIED SHOWS: “Interiors” at Viewpoints (Wiscasset, ME) (1988); Maine Woodworkers Assn. Members’ Show (1985), first prize award; Maine Coast Artists Craft Show (Camden, ME) (1991, 1993); Portland Crafts Show (Maine Crafts Assn) (1993, 1994, 1996, 1997), celebrity showcase pick (1997); “Useful Designs: Maine Chairs from Tool to Utility” at the Blaine House (Augusta, ME) (1997); Paradise City Arts Festival (Northampton, MA) (1998); "Painters, Players & Poets" (multi-media show currently touring) TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Instructor at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship (Rockport, ME) (eight years); numerous workshops and demonstrations HONORS: Early American Homes magazine’s Directory of America’s 200 Best Traditional Craftsmen (1994-97, annually) PUBLICATIONS: Six articles in Fine Woodworking magazine; included in Traditional Projects (Taunton Press), Kerry Pierce, Custom Furniture Source Book (Taunton Press), Peter Turner, Blanket Chests (Taunton Press) OTHER INTERESTS: soccer, tennis, camping, boating of all sorts, school board (seven years as chair), raising kids, and being a dad and husband! | ||
August, 2011 I have this stool in a very fun and innovative art show, "Painters, Players & Poets", now at the Boothbay (Maine) Opera House, and moving soon to the Portland Public Library. It pairs sixteen painters with the same number of musicians/poets, with one of each pair reacting through their art to the other. So, you can look at a Dahlov Ipcar painting while listening to a piano work by Paul Sullivan, for instance. While you absorb the art, you can sit on one of sixteen chairs or stools by Maine craftsmen, including me. Take a look at the show website. | ||