Mesquite Furniture, Fire & Flames

Mesquite heart and flames by Lou Quallenberg

Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames -Rumi

Several friends have lost their homes to fire, so seriously - we mean no disrespect here. That is not the kind of fire that we mean. We are talking about that all consuming passion to create, write, sing, dance, make mesquite furniture or share whatever your LOVE or HEART is. That thing that keeps you up at night.  Surround yourself in talent, share openly, stay focused and positive.  Insulate yourself from the negative whether it is thoughts, words or people. Avoid the time consuming, mind numbing diversions of television and other so called forms of entertainment. If it is not inspiring you, then why are you wasting your time with it?  Make sure your thoughts, words and actions are all love based. When you come from a position of love you cannot go wrong. This is particularly important when you are talking to yourself. Do you treat / talk to yourself like you would a friend? You should.

Do not let fear get in the way of creating your life in this way. If it scares you then you are stretching and growing. It SHOULD scare you if you are doing it right. If the fire gets so hot everything blows up, then be patient. You can and will rise from the ashes. I promise.

Hopefully we will have some mesquite furniture / art to post about next month.  This month I will be stretching long and hard as I speak at the Llano Library:

Come celebrate spring and new beginnings at the Llano Library by interacting with a panel of four speakers dedicated to healthy living, diet, exercise, nutrition, mind/body integration, self healing, spiritual journey and more.

The Wellness Workshop scheduled for Saturday, March 15, 2014, 9-12 noon, will be the first in a series of quarterly programs dedicated to body, heart, mind and spirit.

Healthy snacks will be served during short presentations by the panel, after which the program will be opened up for participants to ask questions or express concerns.

The panelists include:

Laurie Jameson, ThD; W.C. Jameson, PhD;  Nicky Immel, LMT; and Cheryl Quallenberg, BS.

Read more HERE
 

How is this for inspiration?   

“When you make something. When you go through the process, all the steps, and at the end you have a finished product, that you made with your own hands, out of your own mind, that is your own design; it’s a reflection of your soul.”
- Eric Hollenbeck / The Ox
Master Wood Craftsman
www.blueoxmill.com

Watch this inspiring video by Ben Proudfoot at Breakwater Studios

A few more FLAMES:

Don't miss the @LAST Llano Art Studio Tour held annually the LAST Saturday in March in Llano, Texas. Check out these incredible artists in their work spaces.

These folks will inspire you. 

We are so glad to have each one of them sparking and fanning in our lives.

2014
PARTICIPATING
ARTISTS/STUDIOS

@1
Ira Kennedy home studio
www.irakennedy.com/paintings
painting / acrylic / ink
Jerialice & The Enchanted Rock Band
www.enchantedrock.com
 

@2
Texas Tin Lizard: Kathleen Smith
www.texastinlizard.com
mixed media / bottle trees
 

@3
Dust Devil Diver Photography: Briley Mitchell
www.dustdevildiverphotography.com
 

@4
Tom Suarez Photography
www.tomsuarez.net
 

@5
Llano Fine Arts Guild & Gallery
Guild Artists
www.llanofineartsgallery.org
 

@6
Nailhead Spur Company: Richard Wendt
www.nailheadspur.com
metal art / custom fabrication
 

@7
Gridiron Gallery: Jack Moss
www.thegridirongallery.com
 

@8
claythings: Lynda Hallmark Gammage
Jane Lynch - altered art
Kathleen Riordan - pottery
www.kathleenriordanpottery.com
 

@9
Sheri Zoch (sapphire) home studio
fused glass / oils
 

@10
Charles & Euneen Wendt home studio
www.rockingwspurs.com
spurs / iron / fused glass / gourd art
Gayle Hardaway - leather work
 

@11
Myrick Studio - Harriet Myrick
mixed media
 

@12
Lou Quallenberg home studio
www.LouQart.com
sculpted mesquite
Ralph Moresco - copper wind spirals
www.westshorewindspirals.com

  

Check it out 

Saturday March 29th 2014 10am-5pm

Afterparty with the artists 7:00pm Llano Fine Art Guild & Gallery

Demos and Giveaways throughout the day!

Maps available at the studio locations, local businesses all over town, the Llano Visitor Center and the Llano Fine Art Guild.

FINALLY Do not forget to add some fuel to the FIRE!!!

Need wholesale mesquite firewood? or oak firewood?

JP Wood Supply

jpwoodsupply.com

(325)262-2598

Joe Prest

Menard, Texas 

JP Wood Supply in Menard, Texas

Leaping along in Llano, Texas

Well what a month it has been. I wish we could have leapt over the entire month. Our brother-in-law has spent most of it in the VA Hospital in Temple, Texas with a knee infection. We have made the two hour trip a few times, trying to help ease the boredom. The good news is he is coming home today! I know my sister and her family will be very happy to have him home. 

Sadly my Aunt was diagnosed with terminal, end stage breast cancer after what we thought was a year of surviving post treatment.  It has been a real shock to the whole family and has made Lou and I both remember how important it is for us to make each day count. We are both re-thinking our lives and making sure we are doing the things that really matter to us, the things that make our hearts sing.

Mesquite Valentines From Lou Quallenberg

4' Sculpted Hearts Mesquite Slab

Speaking of hearts Valentines Day was celebrated in our home in Llano, Texas with an amazing four foot, sculpted, dual heart, mesquite slab from the talented Lou Quallenberg.  The mesquite slab was left rough and unfinished with the mix of smooth hearts and  rugged texturing. (The photo does not do it justice I took it with my cell phone.)

I Just Love It! and have added it to my mesquite  heart collection that increases in size every February.  I know I have posted the photo before but I do enjoy my mesquite hearts that Lou makes and enjoy sharing them. Believe it or not each piece is usually created the day before Valentines Day.

Barry Bradley's "Two Halves Makes A Whole"

I also wanted to share this really cool limestone and mesquite heart by Barry Bradley of Artisans at Rocky Hill in Fredericksburg.  He always comes up with unique and interesting sculptures and furniture.   A True Artist.  

Speaking of Artists it is that time again.  @LAST Llano ART Studio Tour is the last Saturday in March. That makes it March 31st this year.  We are looking forward to the tour again this year and Lou will be doing a demo at 2:00pm on his turquoise inlay process and creating the mesquite laminate curves he uses in his mesquite furniture.

The following artists are participating this year:

Map 2012 @LAST Llano Art Studio Tour for use Saturday March 31st The Last Saturday in March Annually

@1
Ira Kennedy Home Studio
Painting Acrylic Ink
www.irakennedy.com/painting

@2
Texas Tin Lizard: Kathleen Smith
Mixed Media Bottle Trees
www.texastinlizard.com

@3
The Country Quilt Shop: Ann Fellar
Fabric & Quilts
www.quiltshopinthecountry.com

@4
Sweet Mesquite: Ken Cline
Wood & Frames
www.sweet-mesquite.com

@5
Tom Suarez Photography
www.tomsuarez.com

@6
Llano Fine Arts Guild
Guild Artists
www.llanofineartsgallery.org

@7
Nailhead Spur Company: Richard Wendt
Iron
www.nailheadspur.com

@8
DustDevilDiver Photography: Briley Mitchell
www.dustdevildiverphotography.com

@9
A Rosy Outlook
Mixed Media / Jewelry
www.arosyoutlook.com

@10
Gridiron Gallery: Jack Moss
Watercolor Western Art
www.thegridirongallery.com

@11
ClayThings: Lynda Hallmark Gammage

   Dana Williams Wood, the Single Tree Collection
   Shabby Chic

   Jane Lynch
   Altered Art

   Connie Lynch
   Stained Glass

@12
Sapphire (Sheri Zoch) Home Studio
Fused glass and oils

@13
Charles & Euneen Wendt Home Studio
Spurs, Iron, Fused Glass, Gourd Art
www.rockingwspurs.com

@14
Myrick Studio: Harriet Myrick
Mixed Media

@15
Bob & Lisa Pheil Home Studio
Iron & Baskets
www.pheilforges.com

@16
Lou Quallenberg Home Studio
Sculpted Mesquite Wood
www.LouQart.com

   Ralph Moresco
   Copper Wind Spirals
   www.westshorewindspirals.com

   Susie Fowler
   Shade Tree Potter
   www.shadetreepotter.com

Please respect the privacy of the Artists in Home Studios by making an appointment on dates other than the tour date of Saturday March 31st 2012.  Follow us on Facebook. and see photos of last years event.

 

Backyard Bluebonnet Bokeh by Briley Mitchell at DustDevilDiver Photography Llano,Texas

The bluebonnets are popping their heads out and with the recent rains it is setting up to be a good year for them.  I have included a photo of a few of these early blooming beauties taken by one of the @LAST Llano ART Studio Tour Artists, Briley Mitchell of DustDevilDiver Photography in Llano. Please note: This image is copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Lou has not had a camera in his hands in some time.  He has been busy in the shop but I hope to dust him off and drag him out as soon as there is a good show along the roadsides.  

If you get a chance it is a GREAT time to come and visit Llano, Texas.  Besides bluebonnets we also have a beautiful river with sandy granite beaches, a historic county courthouse and square, a bald eagles nest, and nearby is the incredible Enchanted Rock. The area is flooded with history and easily pulls up images of Cowboys and Indians riding horseback along the granite rocks and ridges.

A recent visitor posted about Llano, Texas and Coopers BBQ on twitter:

 @FrankBruni

New York Times Op-Ed columnist, food lover and author of several books, including the family and diet memoir Born Round New York, NY · http://tinyurl.com/3ev8hpn

"@FrankBruni: Finally made it to heaven. It's in Llano, Tex., and it's called Cooper's bbq. Brisket, pork ribs, taxidermy and ecstasy." posted Feb 25 @2:27pm

Don't forget to stop by the shop if you are in the area but do call ahead to be sure we are there. Life is short and I plan to make sure we put a few miles on the Harley this spring. At some point we hope to finally make it back to New Jersey for a long awaited visit with friends and family.

Finding Passion and it's HOT !?

I'm only gonna mention this once. It's HOT! Okay I'm back to visioning the thermometer at 70 and the Llano River rushing full of cool, clear water.....

A July Wedding Lou & Cheryl Quallenberg

This week we celebrate 16 years of marriage.  Our Sweet 16!  It is a marriage full of passion and passions. We have been through our share of good times and bad times, surviving all of it with lot’s of laughter and of course love.  I wanted to focus this month on passion because that is what started us down this journey of mesquite furniture making.  It is a passion for this unique, unusual, cranky, craggley, old wood that got us to this successful point on our path of mesquite furniture making.    

Passion is the fuel that takes an idea and pushes it into creation or reality.  

The Arnosky Family back then.

Lou and I got married on a flower farm in Blanco / Wimberly known as Texas Specialty Cut Flowers.  I was still a career girl with a passion for flowers.  With my Horticulture degree from Texas A&M, I had conceived, created,  implemented and managed  the floral department at Central Market - a new concept store for HEB Grocery Company at the time.

The Arnosky Family and their company Texas Specialty Cut Flowers were and still are ALL about a passion for growing flowers.  It shows in the beautiful product they produce.  It is hard work growing cut flowers in Texas but they do it with such grace and  I am still  to this day in awe! I still have my passion for flowers but my health has dictated a much less physical lifestyle for me.

We are spending our 16th Anniversary at the Inn above Onion Creek a place where we hope and expect to find a passion for food, hospitality and life..... 

Passion can be seen, heard, tasted, smelt and felt.

 SEEN

Ira Kennedy's "Spirit of the Buffalo"

Ira Kennedy's "Between Two Fires"

Passion can be seen in the unique works of Ira Kennedy.  Ira’s work is a unusual mix of folk,  native American, aborigine, and pointillism.  His style while ever evolving has blossomed recently as he nears his 70th birthday.

His passion for art has been there with him all along. From his youth when he lived in New York City (1965-1970) participating in the art scene and a show with Andy Warhol, to his creation of Enchanted Rock Magazine, up to this day as he paints in his new style on a patio, boxes, canvas and even deer as part of Llano’s Trail of the Deer Art Project.  We have enjoyed watching his passion flame again knowing full well that Kathy was the spark that set this man afire.

I recently discovered Pinterest and want to share it.  I kind of think of it as a place where folks can collect their passions - just be careful it can be addicting.  You create boards with subjects of your choosing and pin images of your choosing to them. A sort of virtual collecting (or hoarding as the case may be)  of the things you like, "your passions." You can see a few of my passions on my boards here: http://pinterest.com/quallenberg/
Just remember I DID warn you.

HEARD

Danny Brooks

Passion can be heard in the voice of one of our local favorite singer, songwriter, musician Danny Brooks
take a listen here: 

http://www.inthemusicroom.com/songs2/good%20loving%20is%20hard%20to%20find.wma 

That is a mild one for him but "Good love is hard to find" and it sort of fits this blog post theme.  He is a regular at Fuel Coffee House here in Llano and while most of the time I am a work widow (he can't help it it's his passion!), if Mr. Brooks is singing I can usually get a "date nite" full of wonderful live music, friends and foot stomping! Danny Brooks WILL get you up out of your seat.


You can also hear a passion for ALL things Mesquite anytime you talk to Joe and Amie Prest of  The Mesquite Company in the United Kingdom.  They are responsible for this interesting bit of press on Lou Quallenberg in the UK:

June 6th, 2011 

Lou Quallenberg: Life on the Edge

By dukemedia_uk
The world of contemporary furniture design is replete with many great artists; those whose work is informed by abstract concepts, their designs honed by the elite design schools of Europe and America’s costal Universities. While the fruits of these designers are often spectacular, and the rewards of finance and recognition similarly so, few possess the passion to eschew this glamour to pursue the path of a genuinely traditional craftsman.

Lou Quallenberg, however, is one such man who distinguishes himself profoundly- in his life as well as his work- from this urban culture, and subverts egotism to allow nature to shape and inspire his designs. Quallenberg did not come to furniture design through the now more customary college route and was a relatively late convert to the craft, having begun his career in photography.

The New Jersey born designer was brought up in an artistic household, and his parent’s home doubled as a photographic studio. Quallenberg quickly became interested in the medium and, it was assumed that he would ultimately follow in his family’s footsteps. However, even as a teenager he displayed the need and ability to express himself in a more physical medium and, at just 15, began building and modifying chopper bikes years before the “American Chopper” television series made the practise so celebrated and lucrative.

As expected, Quallenberg began his professional artistic career in photography, shooting for premium advertisers but, as with many artists, it was love that most profoundly moved and shaped his actions rather than finance- a characteristic that would one day be expressed directly through his art. The young artist met Catherine Walker, whom he would later marry, and so enthralled by her passion for her home state of Texas, moved to Llano where the couple set up a gallery. But with a recently discovered love of and gift for woodwork, Quallenberg came under the tutelage of his father-in-law, Steven Walker, who guided his nascent abilities until he was able to find his own means for expression as a designer and a carpenter.

Keen to display his love for his adopted state of Texas, he became excited by the native Mesquite trees and their distinctive pattern and properties that made them ideal for radical furniture designs. Rather than dictating the shape of his designs in the manner of conventionally schooled designers, Quallenberg became excited by the possibilities of “Live Edge” design. Live Edge is neo-rustic style in which the designer allows the natural shape and pattern of wood to dictate the piece, creating truly individual pieces of work that elucidate an ongoing relationship between the artist and nature, between man and his environment, the results of which can be spectacular.

Echoing man’s earliest attempts to conquer his environment and bend it to his will, this primitivist approach to furniture design has become highly sought after as it is so distinct from the cold, abstract designs comprised of leather, plastic and metal that remain so popular amongst more fashionable, metropolitan designers. The concept of Live Edge as a paradigm was first contrived by Japanese-American George Nakashima in the 1940s. Nakashima was interned during the Second World War and his eyes were opened to traditional design and craft practices when taught how to use rural Japanese hand-tools by a fellow internee named Gentauro Hikogawa. Upon his release, Nakashima employed his newly learned skills shaping locally sourced wood and incorporating blemishes, knots and nooks into the designs as features of the each piece. In 1946- less than 12 months after the end of World War Two- the Japanese American won the Architects’ Gold Craftsmanship Medal, and his work went on to earn him a near legendary status that saw multiple awards and recognition in the United States and abroad, his former studio in Pennsylvania is now even on the US National register of Historical Places.

Given the historical import of the style, Quallenberg’s work has an impressive legacy to live up to which his output achieves quite spectacularly. Using the local Mesquite, the designer fashions a truly unique range of tables, beds, wardrobes and other custom items unlike any others on the market. The wood is unusually strong and dry- making it an ideal tool for the imaginative craftsman, and the beautiful colour and variance of tones provide artistic inspiration, including a convention of inserting turquoise stones into crevices to stunning visual effect. Likewise, the unusual and varied curves characteristic of the timber gives rise to highly unusual shapes that are both natural and striking in a manner that could easily grace the most contemporary and abstract displays.

There can be little doubt that Lou Quallenberg challenges many of the assumptions regarding innovative modern furniture design, but his passion is clear and the product sometimes exquisite. In both life and in art he is an iconoclast and a worthy reminder that exciting design is not confined to elite metropolitan centres, boutiques and display rooms, and that in striving for the future, artists should be wary in neglecting the richness of the past.

Lou’s website is located at http://www.louqart.com

His official UK suppliers may be found at http://www.themesquitecompany.com/

The writer got my name wrong but Lou said he had the new Princess Catherine on the brain and besides I am his "Princess".  Awww! Things like that help make 16 years fly by. The story with photos can be found online here: http://my.telegraph.co.uk/dukemedia/dukemedia_uk/81/lou-quallenberg-life-on-the-edge/

TASTED

Eva's Holtzer House Cafe & Old World Catering

Passion can be tasted especially in the food of our dear friend, and "Mesquite Muse" Eva Broad.  She had a restaurant here in town “Eva’s Holtzer House Café” serving Swiss-German Style Food. Schnitzels, Certified Black Angus Rib Eye, Salmon, Leg of Lamb, Quail and more. All prepared with Fresh Handmade Sauces.  Her food creates music in your mouth touching spots you never knew you had.  Lou has a certificate from her for "Hamburgers for Life" and you can bet he likes to collect on that when he can.

Since Eva's Holzer House Cafe is gone now and you won’t likely get a chance to taste her passion for food,  I’ll tell you about another one....

Fleur de Blé  a real French bakery in Marble Falls. Owned and operated by Jean Claude and Beatrice Walter from Lyon, France. It must be passion for them to get up every morning at 1 or 2 am to start the days baking.  Their bread is incredible and oh so fresh and don't get me started on the pastry my teeth are sweet - all of them and their baking is pure magic!   Huge THANKS go out to Marta Stafford at Riverbend Fine Art (a passionate art advocate / art lover / art collector / art gallery director) for pointing us in their direction and for being such a joy to work with!

SMELT

Treehouse Lab's Tung 50 Orange 

I'm sure you can smell the passion in the two above mentioned in TASTED because many argue that you cannot taste without smell.  I won't get into that argument, but I do want to take the opportunity to mention the wonderful smell of oranges the shop takes on when Lou is applying his finish.  

Lou Quallenberg currently uses a natural plant based finish, Tung 50 Orange as his standard hand rubbed finish.  It is made right here in the United States by Treehouse Lab.  It smells like oranges so no obnoxious overwhelming fumes. It is  a natural  product so it is better for him and the environment and that makes it Win/Win!

FELT

New Ad Design.What do you think?

Passion can be touched and felt in the finish of Lou Quallenberg’s Mesquite Furniture.  Well it can probably be touched, seen, smelled and heard in most of his pieces also.  Heard you ask?  Well  yes, heard "calling out" for you to touch it.

The pieces do vibrate with  his creative energy and love. But seriously we have clients that say they cannot walk by their piece without touching it.

And of course passion can be felt in the heart.  We have found ours and we hope that you have found something in your life that you feel passionate about.  If not what are you waiting for? 

Mesquite takes a back seat

Just for now mesquite is taking a back seat on the blog. Our life right now is pretty busy with the Llano Trail of the Deer Community Art Project.  Seven, life sized white tailed deer sculptures made their way to Llano on May 25th.  The project is similar to the The Trail of the Painted Ponies, Cow Parade, Big Boots, and Guitar Town in Austin.

The deer are now living with their selected  artists who are hopefully working hard at making them each works of art.
 
Artists include:

Russell Baros   "Daddy WAR Bucks" 

Ira Kennedy  "Star Buck"

Janet Mason   "Tex"

Lou Quallenberg & Cheryl Quallenberg "Mr. Big"

Gin Schwope   "TBA" 

Llano Art Guild  "TBA"

Artist TBA   "Buck Naked"

Lou Quallenberg Studios has committed to creating one of these babies in a collaborative partnership of Quallenberg & Quallenberg.  It will work fine as long as Lou realizes I am the boss - or maybe just bossy (I'm pretty sure he knows that already though.)

We will not be using mesquite for this project, but who knows maybe next year we will try out a new way to use mesquite on the ever evolving Trail of the Deer Community Art Project.   The painted deer herd will be making their debut the last weekend of June.  Then you can expect to see them at most of the events in Llano or Hunt them down using the online map.  One deer, we are calling him "Buck Naked", has been left unpainted.  He may show up at local events and be set up to fire paint balls at for a few "Bucks".   He will eventually be used as a special commissioned art piece.

We plan to have a Trail of the Deer Coloring Contest for the Schools (Elementary, Jr. High, and High School) in the Fall. We are also looking in to getting table top size deer so more folks can make their own deer.  It is all about getting people interested in ART (and attracting tourists to Llano, Texas.) But all of this takes "Bucks" so please consider helping out with a Donation or Sponsorship.

These wonderful folks have already helped get this project of the ground. 

Colonel Crow's Trading Post

The Dabbs Hotel
Enchanted Rocks& Jewelry
Executive Growth Sam Jones
Frosty Miller Ranch Realty
Llano Economic Development Corporation 
Milagro Massage
 Nailhead Spur Company  
One Trick Pony/ Tres Rios Silver 
Morrison & Mary Smith 

The "Dressed" Deer will all be auctioned off  in the spring and all the "Bucks" raised will go to create an art scholarship, local charity and to help kick start next years "Trail of the Deer Community Art Project."  (We are hoping for 12 Deer  next year!!!)

None of this would have happened if  Robin Chiesa had not put it all on the line and gone for it. She is an amazing woman, full of enough energy to do the work of a committee. Thank you Robin!!

You can read more about our Community Art Project here in the Llano County Journal or here in the Llano News.

Well as many of you know our sweet Louie did not recover last month so we have been grieving the loss of him from our lives. Louie spent much of his time with Lou at the shop so it has been much harder on him losing his buddy. We were not blessed with children so our furry family members help to fill that spot for us. To have that spot emptied in an already fairly quiet home has been very hard on both of us.  The house is quieter now, VERY quiet.  I wrote this one night several months ago when I could not sleep due to the sound effects, in stereo, from Lou and Louie.

I sleep in a room with two large beasts
my ears suffering a ravenous feast.

A high pitch here
A low rumble there
Strange noises that fill the air.

I sleep in a room with two large beasts
hoping the noise will NEVER cease. 

CW Quallenberg 2010

We really miss those sounds and all the sleepless nights it caused. (Watch the video below for a sample)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zgf2wieHqE




Why Dogue de bordeaux / French Mastiffs? We have been asked why we stick with a breed that has an average lifespan of 5.29 years.  It is a good question especially since we usually miss out on the sweet puppy stage.  Maybe it is that wrinkled scrunchy face, the gentle slobbery nuzzles, the largest head in dogdom, the laid back attitude mixed with a fierce protective mode that most strangers would not challenge, or memories of  the movie Turner & Hooch.   More than likely it is in memory of the two sweet souls we have already rescued and loved and cannot imagine not having had in our lives. When we are ready we will open our hearts and home to another one of these sweet big headed creatures. Until then we mourn the loss and miss the wiggle. We just are not ready yet......