Debut of "EDGE Series: STIPPLE Mesquite Bench w/ Contemporary Calf Leg" at 15th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show

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. 

Lou's work was on display at Quail Point for the 

Lighthouse Gala 

in Horseshoe Bay 

by 

Marta Stafford Fine Art.  

The very next day Western Trappings on The Llano 2014 kicked off with it's Meet the Artist Reception. 

 Western Trappings on The Llano

October 18, 2014 thru January 4, 2015

Approximately 70 Western Artists and Gear makers featured in this 

International Juried Exhibition & Sale 

inside The Llano County Historical Museum 

Celebrate The Art & Artists OPEN HOUSE 

December 6th

9am-6pm

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WEBSITE

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

November 8th 

5:30p.m. - 8 p.m.
Kerr Arts & Cultural Center in Kerrville, Texas

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WEBSITE

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 piece which will begin a beautiful new series of pieces and 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.

Dimensions: 18” height x 11.5” width x 48” length

The second piece we did have to pick up from a client's home in Bryan College Station. Avery and Martin Walker generously allowed us to show their Mesquite furniture piece "The Walker Curve Mesquite Entry Table" in this years Texas Furniture Makers Show.  You may have seen this mesquite entry table in an earlier blog post here: http://mesquite-musings.blogspot.com/2014/04/new-mesquite-furniture-design-walker.html

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 1/16^th 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.

NEW Mesquite Furniture Design: Walker CURVE Entry Table

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

Watch the YouTubeVideo making the curves:
Mesquite Furniture: Making the Walker Entry Table CURVES - Lou Quallenberg Studios

The jig is loaded and sits for 4 days

The first curve for the table

Jig to square the base of the curves

Squaring the base of the curves

A mock up of the table and design

Mesquite table ready for hand rubbed oil and wax finish

"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."

Photographing the "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." 

SHOWTIME for the "Susan" Mesquite Entry Table

"Susan" Mesquite Entry Table - Mesquite Furniture by Lou Quallenberg

As we have for the majority of the past 9 years, most of October was spent scrambling to finish Lou's entry in the Texas Furniture Makers Show ®. We knew it would be tight because of its close timing to the "Western Trappings on the Llano" Exhibition & Sale - Grand Opening and a much delayed yet somewhat unexpected trip to Philadelphia in September.  So same as last year, the call to former clients went out to see if we could "show" one of his former pieces, in the event that a new piece was not completed in time.  Last years piece "Drift" was delivered dripping oil and wax. The finish not up to the Lou Quallenberg standard (even though the piece WON the Best Texas Style Category) and was quickly stripped and refinished for photos, and ultimately it's new client. 

Mr. & Mrs. Donahue answered the call this year by consenting to the use of their "Susan" Mesquite Entry Table in the Texas Furniture Makers Show ® .  Last year they had Holiday parties and were enjoying the new mesquite furniture piece in their home for the Holidays. This year Susan's wedding (yes the table's namesake) and other plans meant they would not feel the loss of the "Susan" Mesquite Hallway Table in their entry way as severely.   

Lou Quallenberg's Website Home Page - www.LouQart.com

It was an interesting and happy coincidence or synchronicity that we had already chosen to create new business cards using the "Susan" Table's curvy photos.   In an effort to match the marketing we also changed out the website Home Page image (seen here).  We felt this image shows off Lou's distinct, curvy design style and leans more towards the sculptural work,  style and direction he is moving into.  

The New Folded Card for Lou Quallenberg Studios

Our choice of doing a folded card this year has presented it's own set of challenges. Once folded and stacked together the cards have a spring loaded effect and can surprise the unsuspecting card collector by flying in unison across the room.  For this reason we have taken to displaying them open with the inside facing out and letting the person gathering a card fold it themselves. They take up less space and avoid the flying across the room trick, which I am sure most folks would prefer not to happen anyways.

Mesquite Entry Table: The "Susan" - Mesquite Furniture by Lou Quallenberg

The "Susan" Mesquite Entry table was designed to go under a painting in the Donahue home.  I have to say I had seen the pictures recently because we put them on the cards and website but I honestly had forgotten how truly breathtaking the piece is in person.  It  measures a whopping 10.5 ft long by 2 ft wide by 3 ft high. It really makes a presence and begs for you to touch it. We hope that you get a chance to go by and see it in person in Kerrville at the Kerr Arts & Cultural Center while it is at the 14th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show®. You can also check out his Mesquite Credenza that is available for sale, some other mesquite furniture as well as some incredible furniture pieces in other woods and materials by some very talented Artists and Makers.

The "Susan" Mesquite Entry Table by Lou Quallenberg

Laminated Mesquite Curves by Lou Quallenberg

Mesquite Hallway Table- The "Susan" by Lou Quallenberg

Remember that you can always see Lou Quallenberg's Mesquite Furniture online at  www.LouQart.com and we hope you will stop by and support both of these great shows where you can see, touch and feel Lou's mesquite furniture in person.

 

The 14th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show ®

October 31 - November 30, 2013

A Statewide Competition of the Finest Custom Furniture Makers in Texas!
228 Earl Garrett Street
Kerrville, Texas 78028
 
 Kerr Arts & Cultural Center

Gallery Hours:
TUES - SAT 
10 AM-4 PM
SUN 
1 PM-4 PM

Don't forget to VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE Furniture Piece for the

PEOPLES' CHOICE AWARD sponsored by Woodcraft®!!!

&

WESTERN TRAPPINGS ON THE LLANO

70 ARTISTS from 3 COUNTRIES & 15 STATES
Western Trappings on The Llano Exhibition & Sale
Inside the Llano County Historical Museum 

HAVE YOU SEEN THEIR ARTWORKS?

http://www.westerntrappings.com/view_exhibit.html

The Museum is OPEN to the Public:

11 AM-5 PM
WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY

"Western Trappings on the Llano" Exhibition & Sale

MEET THE ARTISTS: "Western Trappings on the Llano"

The "Susan" Mesquite Table: A "Birth" Day

Birthday Ride to Enchanted Rock

April is our birthday month here at Lou Quallenberg Studios.  Mine arrives first on the seventh followed a week later with Lou's on the fourteenth.  Two Aries rams butting heads until one of us decides to be the lamb. We celebrated mine  this year with a beautiful, bluebonnet filled ride to Enchanted Rock on the Harley.  Lou spent his in the shop where he is truly happiest working with his mesquite. I tried to get him out but he said it was his birthday and he could do what he wanted.

April is also the "birth"day for the "Susan" Table.  She was all finished up and delivered on Sunday the 29th. I know Lou felt a few pangs as he let her go.  She went to a very good home and we know she will be well loved for a few generations at the very least.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Susan Table!!

Here is her story:

"Susan" Table Mesquite  Slab Top

We first met with the clients knowing that they wanted a mesquite table that would go in an entry way under a painting.  Lou had carefully selected several mesquite slabs for them to choose from.  When  she saw the slab that would become her table our client knew it was the only one for her.

Conception: Lou created a sketch based on the mesquite slab that was chosen and the process began.

Conception: Lou Quallenberg's sketch of the "Susan" Table

Once the sketch was approved the slab and it's flitch (the rest of the slabs from the tree) was taken to Brandon Berdoll in Cedar Creek. Where they were placed in his kiln for drying.  Brandon has kiln drying of mesquite down to a science and he provided us with regular moisture content readings throughout the entire process.  The mesquite was in the kiln for a good eleven weeks.

Mesquite slabs stacked and ready for the kiln

The Kiln

Final moisture content reading on mesquite slabs dried in the kiln

Once the slab and its sisters were all dried throughout to a 7.5% moisture content it was brought back to Llano to begin the construction process.

Removing the mesquite bark

After the basic shape was defined and the outer edges were cleaned up the base curve was copied and calculated to create the laminated curve that is a signature to Lou Quallenberg's mesquite work.

Calculating the curve for the table base

Once the curve is designed the jig to capture that curve is created and carefully crafted.

The jig that creates the matching curve

Lou Quallenberg in the shop with his curve creating jig

The Laminated Mesquite Base Curve and Leg Pattern

The "Susan" Table got a new set of legs.  Lou gave the leg design a bit more curve because he is always trying to improve the design and look of his mesquite furniture pieces.

Mesquite Table Clamped and Ready for Final Design Tweaking

A First Glimpse at How the Mesquite Table Will Look

The Mesquite Base Curves Finally Together

Curved Mesquite Base Ready for the Finish

Lou's finish is a two week process of lovingly hand sanding the tung oil based finish into every nook and cranny on the piece.

Applying the Finish to the Mesquite Slab Top

 He then rubs the piece with a cream wax to seal it all in.  It is so satiny smooth to the touch.

First Coat of Finish on the Mesquite Base

Mesquite Slab Top With the First Coat of  Tung Oil Based Finish

Curved Mesquite Base All Finished

When he is finished with his finish each piece calls out for you to touch it. We encourage the touching an rubbing of a piece.  Even the underside of his mesquite furniture pieces are as finished off as the top.

The "Susan" Mesquite Table Ready for Her Closeup and More

Photography is the next step of the process.  Lou photographs each piece utilizing his skills and experience in commercial photography. The "Susan" was photographed in Tom Suarez's Studio because she was too large to set up properly in the shop.  Lou's work is difficult to capture photographically because of all the curves and curves and curves.....

Lou Quallenberg's "Susan" Table in Mesquite 116"L x 24"W x 31"H

After her photos the "Susan" Table was ready for delivery. Once a piece is "delivered" to the client the process comes to an end  for us and the delivery date becomes each pieces "Birthday" in our catalog of Mesquite Furniture pieces. Where each piece is photographed and the original client/buyers name and location is recorded to help track the provenance of the individual pieces.

Check out Jamail's in Horeshoe Bay, Texas

So going along with the birthday theme, I mentioned last month that I have stepped back into the world of work and my first love: flowers. The birthing or start up of a grocery store is such an amazing thing to be a part of.  It is very much like the birth of a baby with a great deal of pain at the end,  along with the reward of shiny new entity.  I have been involved in several store start ups with HEB's Central Market being the biggest and most difficult. It is challenging, frustrating work, that is at times very exciting and ultimately rewarding. I have seen it make grown men cry many times over.

The Jamail Family has handled this overwhelming task with such grace and efficiency, producing a wonderful gem of a store in the heart of the Hill Country.  I hope the floral department that I create for them can hold up to their high standards in quality and value.  I can't wait to finally get my hands on some of these flowers I have been carefully sourcing and ordering. Because that is when the real fun begins.

Making an Entrance: Mesquite Entry Table

Live Edge Mesquite Entry Table with Turquoise Inlay by Lou Quallenberg more at: www.LouQart.com

After looking into our delivery options: Fredericksburg Shipping and Custom Delivery Service (both companies are really great at what they do!) we delivered this latest piece to Houston ourselves. Lou did not want to take the time off to run to Houston but he likes seeing where his babies will reside and getting a little taste of city life.  I'm up for travel anytime I can get him out of the shop!  

Slab for Mesquite Table Top

Slab Top on old style legs

This commissioned mesquite entry table was ordered as an anniversary gift for the clients. I think she mentioned that it was this table or a trip to Hawaii.  WOW! Now that is a compliment. They contacted us while they were visiting Fredericksburg.  They had seen Lou's work on the internet and wanted to see it in person and meet him.  We were low on mesquite inventory at the time so I did not think he would have much to show them but I told them to come on to Llano and we could show them some of his work, the shop and get an idea of what they were looking for.  I did not know that Lou had squirreled away a special slab of mesquite for an entry table.  He does this sometimes with special pieces and then he has to make sure the client is worthy of the slab or slabs in the case of the Dancing Trees.  These two clients  were VERY special and he showed them the mesquite slab right away.  It fit their length and width requirements and practically sold itself.  We even had several new clients that wanted to buy the slab away from them once Lou had started the table.

They left the shop that day knowing they would have a sculpted, live edge, mesquite, entry table made by Lou Quallenberg for their anniversary. They also knew that due to the schedule it would not be finished until several months after their anniversary - but that it would probably be worth waiting for.

Sketch of Mesquite Entry Table

The sketch was emailed later that week and Lou began working it into the already full schedule.  He was excited to get it started because he wanted to use the new more curved leg design. The clients had agreed to use the new design for the legs.

New Leg Design Pattern

New Leg taped out & ready to cut

New Leg Design Pattern

Lou made a pattern of the new leg to be sure he liked the curve and shape of the new design. Then he taped it out and then cut the legs from sturdy chunks.  I always think he is crazy when he goes changing up the design style but he seems to know what he is doing because it never fails, I always prefer the new style of whatever he does.

Slab Mesquite Table Top and Base Curves

New Legs put together

New Legs and Front Curve

Next its all pieces and parts kind of like a large 3D puzzle. It is always exciting to see it go together for the first time and to finally stand on its own four legs!  The laminated compound curved stretchers are usually the last part to be made. Each one is carefully created custom to the curve of the slab top.  While this curve is a distinctive design element in his work it does actually serve a purpose.  Lou's work is stable it does not wobble.  This curve and the base curves provide an added measure of strength to the tables.  The l/8th inch laminated pieces of mesquite once glued up are actually stronger than a piece of  uncut mesquite of the same size. 

Ready for some turquoise

It stands on its own

Matching curves in need of final stretcher

Adding the turquoise is the final step before the labor intensive two week hand rubbed oil finish.  The turquoise inlay process is not a rushed step. Careful thought is put into adding just the right touch of turquoise.  Each tiny piece of gem quality turquoise is added to the epoxied crack by hand with a pair of tweezers.  Lou looks at the placement as an art form in itself and you can see the difference in his work compared to others.

Mesquite with Turquoise inlay

Turquoise Inlay

We have seen some craftsmen use cheap turquoise powder or even colored aquarium rocks as a filling for the cracks.  Lou Quallenberg takes pride in his work and he treats each piece as a work of art. We abide by the saying: 

"There are no short cuts to anyplace worth going."

Lou Quallenberg and Lou Quallenberg Studios stands for quality and we will not rush a project or compromise on quality. While our materials may cost more and the work may take longer, in the end it is worth it. We hope that the value is evident but there are some folks that just don't "get it." He has a few wood working friends that don't understand why he tortures himself with the compound curves, laminated curves and the extreme sanding and finishing.  They don't understand that he is pouring his heart and soul into the piece and that when he is finished a part of him will be fused forever with the piece in a concept the Japanese call "takumi" (also meaning artisan or hand made.)  These same folks also don't understand why he bothers to finish off the bottom of the piece as completely as the top and they REALLY don't understand how he can charge what he charges for a piece. Again they just don't "get it", but we do and we know our clients and future clients do as well.....

Lou Quallenberg's Live Edge Mesquite Entry Table with Turquoise Inlay

What an ENTRANCE! Mesquite Entry Table with Turquoise Inlay ready for Delivery.

Lou Quallenberg's Finished Mesquite Entry Table with Turquoise Inlay