Our plan is to use this space to share information and ideas about mesquite wood and the trials and tribulations of making mesquite furniture. We are by no means experts on mesquite but Lou has decided to dedicate the rest of his life to learning to use this wood and uncovering the many mysteries we know it holds.
Lou Quallenberg says goodbye to the Branch Altar Table
The Mesquite Branch Altar Table was a labor of love and a true stretch
of the mesquite furniture and carving /sculpting skills that Lou
Quallenberg has acquired over the years. Working with wood, working
with mesquite, and creating something from a vision in your head.
The Chapel at Noah's Dream in the Texas Hill Country
Created for a private Chapel in the Texas Hill Country the piece's unique, beautiful and serene final destination was designed to resemble an ark.
The Chapel at Noah's Dream in the Texas Hill Country
As most of Lou's pieces do this one started out as a sketch. Well make that three sketches....
Sketch by Lou Quallenberg
Fortunately Lou Quallenberg can put his ideas down, beautifully on paper and the amazing thing is most pieces come out looking very close to the original sketch.
Sketch by Lou Quallenberg
Originally conceived and designed as a hallway table, changes had to be made to adapt it into a larger piece with more presence. The thoughts of a limestone top came to an end as the issue of weight was raised and unresolved.
Sketch by Lou Quallenberg
Maquette
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A maquette (French word for scale model, sometimes referred to by the Italian names plastico or modello) is a small scale model or rough draft of an unfinished sculpture. An equivalent term is bozzetto, from the Italian word that means "sketch".
It is used to visualize and test shapes and ideas without incurring
the cost and effort of producing a full-scale product. It is the
analogue of the painter's cartoon, modello, oil sketch or drawn sketch. For commissioned sculptures, especially monumental public sculptures, a maquette may be used to show the client how the finished work will fit in the proposed site.
Maquette in Mesquite - Branch Altar Table
Maquette in Mesquite - Branch Altar Table
Maquette in Mesquite - Branch Altar Table
Maquette in Mesquite - Branch Altar Table
Lou created a miniature version maquette first, to be sure he could actually reproduce it on a larger scale and to aid in the
logistics of creating this large piece.
That is one hefty chunk of mesquite with Lou Quallenberg
This piece's tree base was sculpted and carved from a solid laminated
block of mesquite pieces. The block weighed approximately 1,240 lbs at beginning
and approximately 350 lbs at delivery.
Lou Quallenberg begins carving the Mesquite Branch Altar Table
Check out this video to see the carving process unfold:
The carved roots form the base of the
table which grows into a tree form sprouting a branch that pokes
through a carved natural hole in the mesquite slab top. The branch
ultimately blooms into a tabletop candelabra. He sculpted
designs in the top, sides and underside of the table top designed to catch the light and give the
viewer hidden surprises to discover.
Several views of the Mesquite Branch Altar Table by Lou Quallenberg
The dimensions on this incredible piece are: 60"L x 22"W x 36"H and while the photos are good they just do not do the piece justice. It is most certainly one that calls out to be touched and explored.
Work is our love made visible and the Mesquite Heart Series that Lou Quallenberg has created is a tribute to this beautiful quote by Kahlil Gibran.
“Work is love made visible. And if you can't
work with love, but only with distaste, it is better that you should
leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of
the people who work with joy”― Kahlil
Gibran
As Valentine's Day approaches I thought it only fitting to showcase these incredible mesquite sculptures and share some of their secrets and stories.
The hearts originally began as Valentine's Day gifts from Lou to me. You can read a bit more about that on an earlier blog post Mesquite with all my HEART. Small and large tokens of love, each and every one a unique declaration of love. A gentleman visiting the shop for the @LAST Llano Art Studio Tour saw one and asked Lou to make one for his wife. That simple request sent Lou on this new path chasing his heart in a more sculptural direction.
Moresco Square Base Mesquite Heart
Moresco Square Base and Moresco Natural Base were the first two mesquite heart sculptures that Lou created for someone other than myself. He originally intended one for the client and one to send to Marta Stafford at Marta Stafford Fine Art his local Gallery Representative in Marble Falls. Both pieces were purchased by the client which sent him back to the wood pile to find more sculpture wood to create another piece.
Moresco Natural Base Mesquite Heart
The ideas and hearts began to dance in his head and across his sketchpad.
Glass smooth, stylized, removable hearts amid a flowing and textured, free-form base. Each Heart Sculpture has two hearts in it representing each partner in the couple. Often one heart is bigger than the other.....
Messer Mesquite Heart
The "Messer" Mesquite Heart was on the workbench being created as a spec piece for the gallery when a visitor stopped in and purchased it on the spot. It was finished and on display at the next Art Studio Tour and the lucky woman that was to receive it several months later for her birthday praised and admired it without knowing it would soon be hers.
Franco/Lacy Mesquite Heart
The "Franco/Lacy" Mesquite Heart was next up and it was a special commission. The client had seen the Moresco Hearts and had said she wanted one. Lou still had a piece of mesquite from the tree that had come from her Father's yard in San Angelo and was used in the Dancing Trees and several of the other pieces he created for the Chapel. This special heart would be so very full of heart and would create another commission for Christmas, of small hearts for the grandchildren, using remaining bits of the Franco Tree.
Franco Mesquite Hearts
Mesquite Hearts A'Flame
Mesquite Hearts A'Flame began again as a spec piece for the Gallery and the ever patient Marta. Once again another visitor to the shop decided his wife needed to have it even before he saw it finished. This piece debuted the taller style sculpted base. We also created a video of this piece so that it could be viewed from all sides.
Hidden Heart Mesquite Heart Sculpture
Hidden Heart Mesquite Heart Sculpture was on the work table and it was decided that it and Broken Heart would both be entered into the Western Trappings on The Llano Show. Paid jobs and other projects came on board in a flood and nearly kept these two pieces from being finished on time. Had it not been for the patience and understanding of the Show Director (along with his confidence in Lou's ability to get it done) these pieces would not have been shown at all. As it was they were not even photographed until after the show concluded. Hidden Heart has a small removable heart tucked in and hidden under the larger one.
Broken Heart Mesquite Heart Sculpture
Broken Heart Mesquite Heart Sculpture is a large sculpture. To date it is the largest of the series. Measuring 32 inches High by 12 inches Wide and 12 inches Long. It was carved from a solid piece which came from the Franco Tree that was used in the Chapel for Dancing Trees. As Lou began work on the piece a fine crack was found inside the Heart instead of abandoning the project he decided to go with it. The use of gold to repair the broken heart was inspired by the Japanese art/philosophy called Kintsugi (Japanese: golden joinery) or Kintsukuroi (Japanese: golden repair) Where by the broken thing is made better by its history and from having been broken. It reminds me of the Leonard Cohen song lyrics "There is a crack, a crack in everything that's how the light gets in." Without the crack or break there would be no light. I jut love that.... The base for this piece was created by laminating several chunks of mesquite together and then carving and sculpting into it. Very similar to the way he created the Branch Altar Table that sits alongside the Dancing Trees. But that in and of itself is a whole blogpost. a few more hearts.....
May 2016 be Full of Heart: Mesquite Hearts, Mesquite Furniture & More at www.LouQart.com
And now on to 365 new opportunities to shine our light, share our love, make: mesquite furniture, mesquite sculpture, mesquite hearts, mesquite art or whatever else we are guided to create.
There are infinite possibilities as this new year awakens..... With ♡LOVE, Lou&Cheryl Quallenberg
This
summer while not as hot as some is still a very hot one and if you have
been to the shop lately you know the temperature inside has reached the
100's regularly. We really need to get some temperature control in the shop. We
had originally hoped to be moved to a more permanent and expandable location by now,
but at this point are committed to stay and help my declining, aging
parents. So the question is: To cool? or not to cool? and hopefully soon it will be: To heat? or not to heat?
This quote below really struck a chord for us, it is how we are trying to live our life of mesquite, so we needed to share it:
"Creating a life that reflects your values and satisfies your soul is a
rare achievement. In a culture that relentlessly promotes avarice and
excess as the good life, a person happy doing his own work is usually
considered an eccentric, if not a subversive. Ambition is only
understood if it’s to rise to the top of some imaginary ladder of
success. Someone who takes an undemanding job because it affords him the
time to pursue other interests and activities is considered a flake. A
person who abandons a career in order to stay home and raise children is
considered not to be living up to his potential — as if a job title and
salary are the sole measure of human worth.
You’ll be told in a hundred ways, some subtle and some not, to keep
climbing, and never be satisfied with where you are, who you are, and
what you’re doing. There are a million ways to sell yourself out, and I
guarantee you’ll hear about them.
To invent your own life’s meaning is not easy, but it’s still allowed, and I think you’ll be happier for the trouble".
- Calvin and Hobbs creator Bill Watterson
Check out the latest mesquite heart sculpture "Mesquite Hearts A'Flame" on youtube video for a 360 view.
Just a reminder you can see Lou's work up close and in person at:
Well my goodness it really has been a while since I have posted to the blog. Our hands and hearts have been full with elder care, which is a bit like juggling jello at times. So some things have gotten dropped. Hopefully I will rise above the emotional, physical and financial toll this has taken on our family and continue to post our progress. That is the plan.
With that said I am happy to share Lou Quallenberg's latest direction in his mesquite masterpieces. Lou has always put so much of his heart and soul into his work and this new direction is no different. His new works actually take the shape of a heart with his distinctive design style - of course.
Mesquite Hearts for Cheryl on Valentine's Day
Every year for Valentine's Day he presents me with a mesquite valentine. They range from tiny tokens to 3ft sculptures carved into a branch and everything you can imagine in between. The heart posted on the blog in February last year Mesquite Furniture, Fire & Flames was one such heart.
Mesquite Heart in Flames by Lou Quallenberg
During the @LAST Llano Art Studio Tour a few years ago a gentleman saw it and asked to have something similar created for his wife. Lou put it on the back burner. Eventually he decided to make two so he could pick one and the other could go to Marta Stafford Fine Art Gallery since he had been promising her something new for a long while. Once people saw those hearts being made in the shop, they ordered their own hearts and so Lou was launched into the sculpture business by way of heart.
BTW the very patient and understanding Marta Stafford still has not received one for the gallery yet.
Open Heart in Mesquite for Cheryl
Moresco Square Base Mesquite Heart by Lou Quallenberg
Moresco Natural Base Mesquite Heart by Lou Quallenberg
Messer Mesquite Heart by Lou Quallenberg
Lacy/Franco Mesquite Heart by Lou Quallenberg
Laminated Mesquite Heart by Lou Quallenberg
So as we start this day in celebration of our 20 years of marriage I publish this post in honor of my talented, artist of a husband Lou Quallenberg. I only ask that our remaining years be filled with as much love as the last 20 years!
Unfortunately my health and family care duties have kept me from my regular monthly blog posting. I hope that I will be able to be a bit more regular but only time will tell.....
Fall is always a very busy time at Lou Quallenberg Studios.
If you are in Llano please check out this wonderful show of Artists and Makers and give us a ring and swing by the shop. Just call first to be sure Lou is there and not off on delivery.
We just delivered two pieces to the
15th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show October 30 - November 30, 2014
A Statewide Competition of the
Finest Custom Furniture Makers in Texas Awards Reception
Lou Quallenberg tries to support this show by creating a mesquite furniture piece each year but lately due to limited time we have had to borrow pieces back from client homes in order to have a show worthy piece. Lou did get a chance this year to make a smaller new piecewhich will begin a beautiful new series of piecesand design style.You can be sure he will take this simple EDGE idea and evolve it to see what more he can create from it.
EDGE Series: STIPPLE Mesquite Bench w/ Contemporary Calf Leg by Lou Quallenberg
EDGE Series: STIPPLE Mesquite Bench w/ Contemporary Calf Leg by Lou Quallenberg
Read the show entry Description:
EDGE
Series: STIPPLE Bench w/ Contemporary Calf Leg
Always
searching to see where the limits on design and mesquite sit and
pushing to that point to create his work. This
new concept piece for the artist represents another evolution in his
distinct design style. This Texas mesquite bench features the
artist's signature floating top/seat on stainless steel pins, welded
to steel bars that are screwed into routered grooves in the table
top. The “Contemporary Calf Leg” style leg design debuted at the
2013 Texas Furniture Makers Show. The new EDGE Series design
features a stippled process using a Dremel tool and approximately
4,000 indentions for a unique texture. The silky finish is a very
fine, 400-600 grit, hand, wet sanding with a custom blend of oils
topped off with several coats of liquid cream wax, a two week
process.
Walker Curve Mesquite Entry Table by Lou Quallenberg
Walker Curve Mesquite Entry Table by Lou Quallenberg
Read the show entry Description:
“Walker
Curve Mesquite Entry Table”
Always
searching to see where the limits on design and mesquite sit and
pushing to that point to create his work. This
new concept piece for the artist represents another evolution in his
distinct design style. Custom designed for Avery and Martin Walker,
to place in a front entryway. The piece combines and incorporates his
signature, sculpted, live-edge style with a more sculptural, art
piece, edge slab. This Texas mesquite entry table features the
artist's signature floating top on stainless steel pins, welded to
steel bars that are screwed into routered grooves in the table top.
The “curves” are achieved with 14 slices of 1/16th
of an inch mesquite planks clamped and epoxied onto an arched jig.
The curved bases are artistically joined with sculptural mesquite
brackets and meet the floor with sculpted feet. The silky finish is a
very fine, 400-600 grit, hand, wet sanding with a custom blend of
oils topped off with several coats of liquid cream wax, a two week
process.
Dimensions:
36” height x 19.5” width x 69” length
We hope that you can make it to the 15th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show and see all the hard work and incredible talent on display.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words so this mesquite furniture blog post will be mostly pictures, a video and a only a few words.....
The "Walker Curve" Mesquite Entry Table by Lou Quallenberg
The "Walker Curve" Mesquite Entry Table is the newest sculpted, live edge design by Lou Quallenberg Studios and while there are a few photos of the piece none of them come close to capturing the true essence of it as you stand next to and touch it. When Lou took the order for this table he thought it was going to be one of his standard designs for entry / hallway tables. That was NOT what the client had in mind. Even after they decided on the sketch below Lou still had no idea what was in front of him.
The challenges on a new concept and design style, both artistically and technically, can be both inspiration as well as torture at the same time.
This new bespoke piece emphasizes Lou Quallenberg's move in a more sculptural direction. It also proves a point that while his look and style can be copied, they cannot get into his head and take the latest design, so he will always be at least one step ahead. Always searching to see where the limits on design and mesquite sit and pushing to that point to create his work.
Lou Quallenberg with new design: The "Walker Curve" Mesquite Entry Table
Sketch for the Mesquite Entry Table
Making a jig for the curves
Making the jig's curve
Finished jig for the curve
Wood to be cut in thin slices to create the curves
