Gort News.
pecha kucha
February 6, 2010
The inaugural Pecha Kucha night is happening today in Whitehorse - I'll be presenting a few of my thoughts on 'Canadian Furniture Design and Burls' should be interesting. Here's an example of my new favorite Canadian designer Russell Spanner....
And a few links to learn more about Canadian design:
http://www.dx.org/
http://www.canadiandesignresource.ca/officialgallery/
art of craft
January 10, 2010
I just returned from the opening of Art of Craft at the Museum of Vancouver. Check it our if you're in Vancouver for the Olympics.
Here are a few pictures...
Thanks to the Yukon Government Touring Artist Fund for making the trip possible.
small parts division
December 28, 2009
Gort Fine Woodworking is pleased to announce the addition of a Senior Manager in our 'Small Parts Division'. He was born on Christmas eve but is quickly getting up to speed.
Stellan Mark Williams Gort
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
bright lights big city
November 12, 2009
I just put my pallet table in a crate and sent it down to Vancouver. It was juried into the By Hand: BC and Yukon exhibition opening in January at the Museum of Vancouver. The show put on by the BC Craft Council will run during the Olympics and feature fine craft in ceramics, glass, metal, fibre, wood and mixed media.
The details should be posted soon:
Maybe the Olympics aren't so bad after all....
it's business time
November 12, 2009
I was recently featured in the August issue of Up Here Business magazine - the north's premiere business publication - well definitely in the top 5 anyway....
The article highlights six young northern entrepreneurs. Here is the cover - I'm hoping at least one of the three is true? And my caricature, which isn't posted online, but pretty awesome nonetheless.
Here is the link:
Up Here Business - Whiz Kids
two of the greats
September 28, 2009
I really like Maloof's cabinet work - clean lines, nice scale and thoughtful details. I also have an affinity for some of his earlier chairs which have nice classic lines, but his rockers I find less interesting - except for the joinery - like his slotted dado rabbet joint - genius!
I've read all of Krenov's books and have been inspired by his honest, uncompromising approach to the craft and his love of wood. Although I don't subscribe to all of the Krenov dogma I appreciate the methods and love using a wooden plane from time to time.
I wonder who will be the Maloof and Krenov of our generation.....
what i did on my summer vacation
September 24, 2009
Built some bookcases...
Finished my bathroom...
Put up some shingles...
Framed a cabin...
With a few beams...
Now i'm back in the shop for the fall - building a kitchen and trying to sneak in a few pieces of furniture. I think this is the life of an emerging furniture maker - although there is a certain satisfaction in working for yourself and making a living with your hands - i'm still working toward my dream of designing and crafting studio furniture full time.
five o clubs
May 15, 2009
The Saskatchewan Craft Council invited me to participate in their playing card deck to promote wood, metal, ceramic and glass makers in Saskatchewan and I guess as far as the Yukon - I was lucky enough to land the coveted 5 of clubs / wood.
pallet
March 29, 2009
I just finished this coffee table - made out of solid walnut. A reintroduction of the ubiquitous shipping pallet - In stark contrast to the current single use, throw it in the garbage i'll buy another one tomorrow attitude - It should last a lifetime of use, it could even be used as a shipping pallet.
You may find many a pallet but not one as nice as this....
if i was a carpenter
March 16, 2009
When I mention to people that i'm a furniture maker they invariably launch into a story about a friend who has a chop saw in their garage and can make 'amazing' things. Usually those things turn out to be some combination of 2x4's and shipping pallets - likely finished with a 'cherry' or 'espresso' stain. Well two can play that game and i'm about to take back the do it yourself trend, to make sure that furniture makers across the land stay gainfully employed. I just finished this 1/6th scale model of a new dining table i'm about to build. Influenced by standard Canadian architectural forms, built with douglas fir and traditional joinery techniques - it reminds me of my shop which has yet to be sided....
