THANKFUL for this Magnificent Mesquite Adventure

As November days speed to a final end we find ourselves so very thankful for the many wonderful people who have made this magnificent mesquite adventure possible. 

The Gallery at www.LouQart.com

The loyal client base that has after a first experience in creating a custom, mesquite piece with Lou Quallenberg, then come back for a second, third (or even more) commissioned piece. Our client's privacy and confidentiality is always protected and treated with absolute respect so we won't reveal names. They know who they are and we applaud them each and every one for their support and friendship. Without them Lou would not be able to do what he does with mesquite. Our clients past, present and future are the biggest blessing we have as a furniture making company. We can't do this without you so we THANK YOU for your interest and investment in Lou Quallenberg Studios.

Our dear friends Karl and Mary Rhodes who are always there to lend a hand, a truck, a trailer, a camera, book, magazine or whatever else might be needed in the moment. Their sweet and thoughtful encouragement and friendship has helped tame this rocky road we have been traveling on. We could not have done it without you both.

Eva and Tyson Broad, the muse and her mister, for allowing us to use their beautiful home as a gallery and storehouse for the uncommissioned larger pieces of Lou's work that are not in a show, gallery or showroom. It was Eva that first tempted Lou to try his hand in mesquite. Her table is the piece that launched this beautiful journey in mesquite. She is the mesquite muse. They also provide a safe, warm and loving home for our Barney (and previously Louie) when we must travel for a show, delivery or a much needed break.

Thanks go out to Steve Walker and the Walker family for allowing the shop to be built on their home site.  Steve's creative and engineering mind has helped many undo able projects come to fruition. His constant tinkering has kept old machines running and created impressive jigs.  Without his packing skills we would certainly be at a loss and probably need more than one truck or trailer.

Shawn Walker for his dedication to learning the craft and dutiful sanding.  His calm driving skills and ability to handle a trailer have gotten us on time to deliveries and long distance shows.

Heather Walker Martin for never saying "NO". Whether it is to ride along to the show to check on a piece. to let Barney out for a much needed bathroom break, unload a trailer of wood or take me to then store when I am not feeling well and cannot drive. She is always there for us.

Mesquite and Pecan Cabinet / Hutch by Lee Westphal

Many thanks go to Mary Frances Camp and Jesse Handel of Galeria 19 Fine Art for the beautiful Gallery space and knowledgeable representation that they have provided for the past year in Fredericksburg, Texas. They treat Lou's mesquite pieces as art and that is after all what we have been reaching for: Art that functions as furniture. We are thankful to be a part of such a thoughtful and beautiful art collection. Check them out when you are in Fredericksburg or look around online http://www.galeria19.com/

We thank Ann & Barry Bradley of Artisans at Rocky Hill who allowed us to be a part of their Gallery for several years and knew from a business standpoint when it was time to go our separate ways. Stop by and see the wonderful works by their Texas and Hill Country artists.

We have to thank the guys that keep our mesquite inventory slabbed, planed and kiln dried. For the regular sized stuff Lee Westphal at Sage Creek Farms does a spectacular job milling and air drying. We appreciate Lee and Kristina's friendship. They also make wonderful soaps and other handmade gifts. So check them out online at: http://www.sagecreekfarm.com/ 

Brandon Berdoll's Pecan Slab Table

This pecan and mesquite hutch created by Lee Westphal would make a great gift for someone special. It won a Judges Special Award at the 13th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show which ends December 8th.


For milling our oversized logs and kiln drying our inventory we use the very professional services of Brandon Berdoll at Berdoll Sawmill. Check out the website: http://berdollsawmill.com/ and like them on facebook: HERE  

Brandon Berdoll's pecan table won an Honorable Mention at the 13th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show  and would make another great gift! (Sorry for the poor quality image it really is beautiful.)







Speaking of the 13th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show we say a HUGE round of THANK YOU'S to this year's Chairman Larry Moss and Judges:

Philip C. Lowe is an award winning furniture maker, author, and founder of The Furniture Institute of Massachusetts, internationally known for its dedication to excellence in the art of classical woodworking techniques applied to the art of furniture design and construction. In 2005, Phil received the Cartouche Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Society of American Period Furniture Makers and in 2010 he was granted the 2010 Bulfinch Award for Artisanship presented by the Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America.

Gordon McDougal is the owner of McDougal Gallery of Fine Woodworking in San Antonio. Gordon completed a one-year apprenticeship with Jeff Green of Bucks County, PA, and attended the Marc Adams School of Woodworking where he earned a Masters Level Certificate in Woodworking.

Randy Johnson is the Editor in Chief for American Woodworker and Woodwork magazines in Eagan, MN. Randy studied art and industrial arts education at the U. of Wisconsin-River Falls and later received a Master’s degree in Industrial Technology Education from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, with an emphasis in furniture construction and design. Prior to joining the media world, Randy owned a custom furniture business specializing in the designing and building of custom furniture. 

Lou Quallenberg's Award Winning Sculpted Mesquite Coffee Table "Drift" (Photo by Chris Kemler)

They awarded Lou Quallenberg's "Drift" Table the "Best Texas Style" Award. This makes it the fourth time he has won this award. (See them ALL on our website here: Texas Furniture Makers Show.) Lou's Drift Mesquite Coffee Table also won the WOODCRAFT® Award chosen by the sponsor from WOODCRAFT®.    Read more about the "Drift" table at: Eyes IN and next months  mesquite musings blog post.

The Show ENDS December 8th, 2012

2012 TEXAS FURNITURE MAKERS SHOW AWARD WINNERS

Frank Strazza's Exquisite Table

First Place (Best of Show)
Frank Strazza, Waco TX "Roses" Federal Style Hall Table

Second Place

Randolph Secrest, Spicewood TX Trunk

Third Place
Bert Ray, Wimberley TX "Blossom Table II"

Best Contemporary Style
James Breaux, San Antonio TX Haidinger's Brush" Table

Best Traditional Style
Caleb James, Katy TX Settee

Best Texas Style
Lou Quallenberg, Llano TX "Drift" Coffee Table

Best Art Style
Jeremy Grubb, Dickinson TX "Rising Sun" Console

Best Apprentice
John Burton, Arlington TX Blanket Chest

Woodcraft’s People’s Choice
Frank Strazza, Waco TX "Roses" Federal Style Hall Table

Judges’ Special Award / Fine Woodworking®
Lee Westphal, Burnet TX Display Cabinet

Judges’ Special Award / Alamo Hardwoods
Brooke M. Davis, Austin TX Intertwined Series: Bench

Judges’ Special Award / Alamo Hardwoods
Barry Bradley, Fredericksburg TX "Smoke Signals" Table

Judges’ Special Award / Allen & Allen
Danny Kamerath, Dallas TX "Kampa" Coffee Table

Judges’ Special Award / Dakota Premium Hardwood
Leo Litto, Austin TX Work Table

Furniture Committee Award /Artisans at Rocky Hill
Mark Seay, Plano TX Wind Rose Table

SAPFM Award / Society of American Period Furniture Makers
W. Malcolm Granberry, Houston TX Spine Chest

Woodturners’ Choice Award / Hill Country Turners
Caleb James, Katy TX Settee

Woodcraft® Sponsor’s Award
Lou Quallenberg, Llano TX "Drift" Coffee Table

Johnny Jones Sponsor's Award
Jon Percy, Austin TX "Fallen Leaves" Bench

Honorable Mentions:
Carl Powell, Bartlett TX KOA Top Table

Wayne Locke, Austin TX Chair

Wayne Delyea, Granbury TX Rocking Chair

Brad Dawson, Kemah TX Curio/Display Cabinet

Brandon Berdoll, Cedar Creek TX Spalted Pecan Coffee Table

Finally thanks go out to our MANY artist friends that provide advice, insight, encouragement and most importantly inspiration.  Please remember to support an artist this holiday season. Buy your gifts locally first, then Texas made, and finally Made in the USA!

See a list of some of our artist friends here:  ART and ARTISTS

Now is the time to...

support an artist

They bring beauty into our world.

They look at things differently.

They inspire us to be more creative.

Yet very few of them make good livings.

They enhance our lives and deserve encouragement.

Look for those who move you.

Support them where you can.

"Now is the Time" by Patrick Lindsay

There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.

A crack with Lou Quallenberg's Signature Bow Tie letting the light in on the mesquite project The Dancing Trees.

Perhaps from the title you have figured out that this post is about the cracks and crevices often found in mesquite and featured prominently in Lou Quallenberg's work.   It is also an homage to Leonard Cohen's lyrics "There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in."  Mr. Cohen was born on the 21st of  September in 1934 so it makes sense to feature him in our end of September Blog post and wish him a very Happy Birthday!   He will be playing  at Bass Concert Hall in Austin, TX on Wednesday, October 31, 2012, and Thursday, November 1, 2012,  at 8:00 pm (sure wish we could find a few tickets and hear him in person!) Be sure to check out the lyrics and video below.....

At the mill discovering cracks

Checking the cracks in the mesquite

What is it about cracked or broken things that seem to pull at our heartstrings?  Is it that we know a heart unbroken can never feel true love? Must one experience the darkness before they can truly know the light? Must things crack or break before the light can overtake the darkness? 

We have assembled a selection of photos of Lou's work that shows off the cracks and crevices so characteristic of mesquite.  Since Lou Quallenberg only uses mesquite it is only natural that his mesquite furniture projects will have cracks.  Each crack is a challenge and depending on the crack and the client's taste can be handled in several different ways. We will briefly touch on each.

A "Standard" bow tie prior to Lou's signature bow tie design

 BOW TIES

Lou's Signature bow tie was developed because he saw that he would need to regularly use wood bow ties in his projects and the standard bow tie was well, while functional, "standard." His stylized signature Bow Tie features the curves he loves so much.  We have had clients request a bow tie even if it was not structurally needed because it is almost like a signature, brand or label and it is beautiful to look at.

Lou Quallenberg's Signature Bow Tie

Once Lou's Quallenberg's signature bow ties began showing up in National Furniture and Art Shows we started to see other versions of original bow ties begin to develop and expand.   It's almost like permission was given to create your own.

Mesquite Lectern with large crack

Speaking of shows don't forget:
The Texas Mesquite Association
Annual Mesquite Art Festival
in  Fredericksburg, Texas
October 12th-14th 2012
and
The Texas Furniture Makers Show
November 8th-December 8th, 2012
in Kerrville, Texas.
(We sure hope Lou will have a piece finished in time!)

Spline in the mesquite table top to stabilize the crack

SPLINES

The mesquite spline is added to the edge of a piece the stabilize the cracks a bit more securely than the bow tie giving both internal strength as well as contrast in color for a design accent.

Man made curved "cracks"

MAN MADE  Cracks/Curves

Sometimes man made cracks are added to the Lou Quallenberg's designs. These are usually created in the curved mesquite laminates that Lou uses in his pieces bases to match the natural curves of a slabbed tops.

 TURQUOISE INLAY

Inlaid turquoise is an option that some of our clients chose over the black epoxy cracks.   Lou is very particular about choosing each piece of jewelry quality turquoise with a pair of tweezers and placing it in its perfect spot along the crack or crevice.  It is very time consuming but the devil is in the details and this is one area where his work stands out because he will not compromise. Lou limits the use of turquoise inlay to an artistic sprinkling on only select cracks and crevices. A coat of clear epoxy is added to hold the turquoise in place while allowing it to remain beautifully visible. The end result is a strengthened and beautifully filled crack that is not over done.

Turquoise inlaid in Mesquite

 BLACK EPOXY

Even legs get a spot of a Turquoise

For those clients that do not like the look of turquoise with the mesquite,  the cracks and crevices are filled with a black fresco filled epoxy.  It defines the line and serves as a glue to hold the piece together.

Turquoise inlaid table leg

Mesquite Mirror with Turquoise Inlay

Turquoise inlaid Mesquite Box

Another "Crack" of inspiration comes from one of our favorite singer songwriters Calvin Russell  (who is gone but not forgotten) especially his  song "A Crack in Time" the lyrics are pure poetry:

I came down the line 
Through a crack in time
Slipped between two seconds in the night
From the shadows I sprang
Someone screamed my name
And I headed for the morning light.

Some but not all cracks get a sprinkle of turquoise inlay

Cracks and light they just seem to go together  naturally  in nature, song and poetry. You won't find any better cracks than the ones in mesquite wood. Lou Quallenberg sure has an eye for finding the real beauties. The ones that would have otherwise ended up as someone's fire wood but now grace elegant homes and galleries with their unique allure. 

A cracked mesquite shelf

A hole in mesquite

A crack in the mesquite slab table top

Panel with a black epoxy filled crack.

Sculpted cracked mesquite shelf.

Cracks and holes in mesquite slab table top.

Dancing Trees in the shop letting the light in

DANCING TREES  
Lou's perfect example of "cracks" that let the light shine in.
you can read more about Lou Quallenberg's Dancing Trees 
here: http://www.louqart.com/Dancing_Trees.html

The Dancing Trees and Lectern full of cracks for light to get in.

 

I'm always inspired by this quote by artist Robert Smithson “A crack in the wall, if viewed in terms of scale, not size, could be called the Grand Canyon.  Size determines an object, but scale determines art.” 

The Grand Canyon a LARGE Crack!

We are currently planning a trip to see the Grand Canyon since Lou has not yet seen it in person.  I can't wait to see the influence and inspiration that this gigantic crack in the earth produces in Lou's work......

Now please enjoy a little Leonard Cohen:

There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in

The birds they sang at the break of day
"Start again", I heard them say
Don't dwell on what has passed away
Or what is yet to be

Ah, the wars they will be fought again
The holy dove, she will be caught again
Bought and sold and bought again
The dove is never free

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in

We asked for signs, the signs were sent
The birth betrayed, the marriage spent
Yeah, the widowhood of every government
Signs for all to see

I can't run no more with that lawless crowd
While the killers in high places say their prayers out loud
But they've summoned, they've summoned up a thundercloud
And they're going to hear from me

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in

You can add up the parts, you won't have the sum
You can strike up the march, there is no drum
Every heart, every heart to love will come
But like a refugee

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in

That's how the light gets in

That's how the light gets in

"Good Artists Borrow, Great Artists STEAL"

"Good Artists Borrow, Great Artists Steal" The quote is often credited to Pablo Picasso but it has been said by many writers, songwriters, poets, visual artists and the like and nobody is really sure who actually said it first.  One reason we like to attend Shows (Furniture and Art/Design) is the connection and energy that is created with the other artists.  The sharing, borrowing and stealing are given free range as the ideas and creativity flow freely in these gatherings of amazing talent under one roof.  What is taken away from these events is inspiration and  like the quote above one never really knows if it is borrowed or stolen. It just is.

We are pleased to announce that Lou Quallenberg is now being represented in the Texas Hill Country in Fredericksburg, Texas by: 

 

Galeria 19  Fine Art

222 W Main St 

Fredericksburg, TX 78624-3710

(830) 990-1403

Galeria 19 is owned by Mary Frances Camp and run with the help of the very knowledgeable Jesse Hansell.  We loved the bright, colorful artist's work represented  there and the welcoming feel of this great gallery space. I'm sure we have already begun to borrow and steal inspiration from this incredible resource of international artists. I am in love with Juan Ezcurdia's longhorns  (or bulls) and the amazing sculptures by Syd Ginsberg.  Be sure to stop by, say hi and see the work if you are in the area. (See video below)

We recently attended the 12th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show Award Ceremony and Reception this year without the usual nervous feeling of how the latest piece will be received. Since Lou's schedule has been so full and the most recent deadline had arrived so close to the delivery date of the Texas Furniture Makers Show, Lou did not have time to create a "showpiece" this year.  We decided to go ahead and enter a piece in the show that had been created by Lou in 2006.  It was a small,  simple, s-curve coffee table with turquoise and gold inlay. A clean, classic representation of Lou's work. We entered to support the show and hey maybe sell the piece.  So needless to say we both had to do a double take when they called "Lou Quallenberg" as the recipient of the "Furniture Committee" Award. 

Jeremy Grubb & his Aruh Bench

Congratulations go to Rex White for winning the "Best Texas Style" Furniture Award at the Texas Furniture Makers Show. Lou  has won the "Best Texas Style" Furniture Award for the past three years in a row so now the pressure is off. Thank you and way to go Rex!! You can see Rex White's work at RS Hanna Gallery in Fredericksburg, Texas(also seen in the video above.)

Lou often feels like a newcomer at these shows probably because he came late to the furniture making scene with his mesquite furniture.  He usually feels a connection with the younger crowd at this show and we (as always) try to help promote ANYONE we find with talent.

Jeremy Grubb is one such talent that we have identified and connected with for several years now.  He greets Lou each year like Lou is a rock star - always excited to see what Lou has pulled out of his hat each year.  (Sure hope he wasn't too disappointed with this years entry from 2006.) We have been taken by his artistic talent and over the top style and attitude. Because of that connection and inspiration we created this list of up and coming talent in the Texas Furniture Design/Maker Scene found at the Texas Furniture Makers Show this year.

  

Our "Ones to Watch" List 

(from the 12th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show)

Chris Kemler's Jatoba Hall Chair

 Best Contemporary Style 

Chris Kemler
  Jatoba Hall Chair

Chris Kemler working on his 2010 entry

Chris Kemler on facebook



Jeremy Grubb
 Side Table(not pictured)
Judges’ Special Award

(donated by Alamo Hardwoods, Inc.)

Jeremy Grubb's Aruh Bench For Sale at Texas Furniture Makers Show

Jeremy Grubb on facebook

 website:http://jjhgwoodworks.com/

Houston, Texas

281-414-8382

James Breaux
 Carlo Chair 

Judges’ Special Award 

(donated by Fine Woodworking Magazine)

 

Honorable Mention: James Breaux - Suspension Table

Brandon Berdoll with Large Slab

Brandon Berdoll

Mesquite Dining Table
Brandon's table did not win an award but it DID sell and that is as important as awards!!

Berdoll Sawmill & Furniture Co.
Cedar Creek, Texas
  512-497-5910 

Brandon Berdoll on facebook

We can't wrap this blog post about the Texas Furniture Makers Show without mentioning Gerry Morrell who we enjoy connecting with every year. Gerry's Mesquite rocker was a really nice piece and we were honored that he was trying to create a piece that would take the "Best Texas Style" category off Lou's table - so to speak.