Mesquite Furniture takes a Sculptural Direction

So as we wrap up this year of mesquite furniture making and look back on the client list, projects and creative challenges we find that this was the year that Lou's work has REALLY jumped creatively. The exciting projects currently in house will be released in the coming New Year 2014 and show a leap in the direction of his work. Lou has been moving into a much more artistic and sculptural direction and these new pieces will certainly showcase that direction.

Lou Quallenberg with Jig to bend Mesquite

Lou Quallenberg & Shawn Walker remove mesquite curve from jig

We are thankful for the new clients this year that have helped push this new direction, but are also aware that several of the former client's (now collectors) with their new projects have added to the momentum.  What a true blessing to be able to hone your skills and craft as you create commissions for people that truly appreciate your work! We are so very thankful to our clients and collectors, past, present and future that help Lou Quallenberg's work increase in value as they seek it out.

THANK YOU!!!!

This year we entered two contests Martha Stewart's American Made and Intuit's Small Business Big Game. While we did not win either contest, we like to think that we gained experience by entering and competing and perhaps got a bit of exposure that we would not have had otherwise.  Creating a video for the Intuit contest reminded us that we never really did the YouTube video series that we had started a few years back. So maybe this new year will be the year?!

Check out the video that we did for The Intuit Small Business Big Game Contest:

Check out the first video that we did on YouTube and let us know if you think we should do more:

This year brought us a few surprises with the reunion, connection and reconnection of family.  It reminded us that the world works in mysterious ways and God's hand is in all of it. We are very blessed to add more family and hope to strengthen the family bonds that we already have as well.  With that said we need to add a word or two of THANKS to the Walker Family (AKA Cheryl's Family). Shawn for his work in the shop and on deliveries, Steve for his creative genius in helping Lou make his sketches reality, Carolyn for putting up with the shop shenanigans and Heather for always being on call to Barney sit or lend a hand. Matthew and Taylor for being themselves and helping here & there. We LOVE all of our families: old & new, good & bad, known & unknown, alive & deceased because we know they are ALL in some way a part of what makes us who we are.    

The Lou Quallenberg Studios Catalog was updated in early 2013 but it along with the website are due for a TOTAL makeover this new year. We are open to any and all ideas and suggestions so please feel free to let us know what you think.

We received some good press this past year with an article in Tex Appeal Magazine and a mention in the "THINGS WE LOVE" section in Western Art & Architecture.  While mesquite is a Texas native and Western art collectors are aware of mesquite and its beautiful qualities. Our goal is to attract buyers and collectors that are not so familiar with the wood.

Sometimes a familiarity with something limits the imagination of what it can be,  we see mesquite as a beautiful medium that should not be limited by its Texan and/or Western roots.

Don't get me wrong, we embrace the Texas Heritage of mesquite.  We truly appreciate the favorable reception of Lou Quallenberg's work at The Texas Furniture Makers Show.  A "Jersey" boy Winning the "Best Texas Style" Category a whopping five times says something about the maker, the wood and it's Texas roots, but we see it as something bigger than Texas. Oh wait did I really say that?! Okay as BIG as Texas!  What I am saying is the beauty of this wood should not be limited to Texas or western homes and ranches.....

"Sometimes a familiarity with something limits the imagination of what it can be, we see mesquite as a beautiful medium that should not be limited by its Texan and/or Western roots." CWQuallenberg

In this coming new year we hope to continue our work of helping, encouraging and inspiring young artists (and maybe a few older ones.) We know that we learn from and are inspired by them as much as they are by us. We DO still dream, search and plan for a future creative workspace that will include an Artist in Residence program and be a place of inspiration for years to come. We truly love to collaborate and share with artists of all kinds and offer ANY and ALL of our experience and skills gained to anyone who takes the time to ask for or seek it out. 

We wish you all a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!  

May ALL of your Dreams and Desires 

Come True in 2014!

       

Mesquite Furniture: "Made in Texas" feature in Tex Appeal

 Lou Quallenberg Studios' Mesquite Furniture is featured in the  
"Made in Texas" article in the June 2013 Issue of 
Tex Appeal Magazine with:   
Anderson Bean Boots www.andersonbean.com of  Mercedes, Texas,   

Garrison Brothers Distillery www.garrisonbros.com of Hye, Texas,  

Laerdal www.laerdal.com of Gatesville, Texas,   

Heart of Texas Olive Oil www.heartoftexasoliveoil.com  of Georgetown, Texas 

and  

Gray Rock Soap www.grayrocksoap.com  of Burnet, Texas.

 The "Made in Texas" Article in the June 2013 Issue of Tex Appeal Magazine

Check out the entire article online here: http://texappealmag.com/made-in-texas/

 and
Read the full magazine online here:
 http://issuu.com/tdtnews/docs/ta-junefinal

June 2013 Cover of Tex Appeal Magazine

 The "Made in Texas" Article in the June 2013 Issue of Tex Appeal Magazine

The Tex Appeal Magazine Interview

1. How long have you been making furniture? I started making Mesquite Furniture in 2004
2. How did you get started in making furniture? I have always built and designed photography sets, furniture, and other items even in my youth. I started building Mesquite Furniture as a business in 2004 when a friend asked me to create a table for her using mesquite. It took off like crazy from there.
   
3. Of all woods, why do you use mesquite wood? I fell in love with it after the first time I used it. Mesquite is a hard, gnarly wood with a unique beauty.
   
4. What unique features does mesquite wood have?  It's unusual character flaws, holes, cracks, crevices and grain make it difficult to work but a real stand out once it is finished.
   
5. What is it in a piece of wood that inspires you to make a piece of furniture? (shape, size, etc.?) I try to use the wood to its natural beauty. It could be the shape, curve, a hole, or the movement and pattern in the grain.  
6. Where do you find the wood? My Mesquite is from trees that ranchers in South Texas are having removed from their fields. I have also retrieved fallen or dead trees from yards, golf courses and other unlikely spots.  I definitely do not go around cutting living trees down just to create wood for my work. The special pieces usually end up finding me.
   
7. Do you use power tools, hand-tools—combination of both? I use both power tools and hand tools.
   
8. Do you make things other than furniture? My work has taken a more sculptural turn and I am working more and more in that direction.
9. Are there any unique processes involved in working with mesquite? I create mesquite laminate to make some of my curves. The wood is cut into thin 1/8" planks and then stacked back together shaped into a curved jig and then epoxied together creating a curved piece that is just as strong or stronger than a piece of solid wood.
10. Do you have any formal training in art or furniture making? I was a commercial photographer for 27 years before that I was raised in a photography Studio/School and grew up learning from several masters but I have no formal training in furniture and or art. I guess it just comes naturally :)
11. Who’s art or work inspire you most? Van Gogh, Wharton Eschrick and more currently David Savage in the UK. I find inspiration in lots of things especially the female form.
12. Where are you from originally? I was born and raised in New Jersey  And what drew you to Llano? My wife is from Texas and her family has a ranch out this way. Llano was a good central location with the beauty of the Hill Country plus a scenic river. It is real hard to take a Texas Girl out of Texas and she promised me a Harley if I made the move again.
    
13. What would you say is your “style” of design? That is a good question we often have a hard time classifying it. Organic? Slightly contemporary? Hill Country Chic? Maybe your readers could help us find a name? We are open to suggestions.....
14. Any key points about the elements of design in your work? Its all about curves, flow and connection.
    
15. Do you take your work to art shows or other galleries? I am currently represented by Marta Stafford Fine Art in Marble Falls, Texas http://martastaffordfineart.com/ I like to do more Gallery Style shows so I do the Texas Furniture Makers Show in Kerrville, Texas http://www.texasfurnituremakersshow.org/  I have done the Western Design Conference in Cody Wyoming as well as it's current location Jackson Hole, Wyoming. http://www.westerndesignconference.com/  I currently have such a busy schedule that it is hard to make time for shows.
16. Can you tell us a little about your gallery in Llano? I do not have a gallery in Llano at this time.
17. Do you teach any classes? I have done demonstrations but do not teach any classes right now. I do have a few videos on YouTube.
18. Commissioned pieces…do people bring you pieces of mesquite and ask you to make something out of it? Or do they come to you with a specific need-- type of piece and ask you to design it? Usually they come with a need for a piece with certain size requirements. I show them slabs from my inventory that might work or we take our chances with a solid log and they go through the entire process we call: tree to table. That includes the mill where it is slabbed and the kiln where it is dried for about 12 weeks. We send photographs throughout the process and some clients have them made into a coffee table book about their coffee table.
19. Of all your creations…what has been your most favorite piece you’ve made and why? Dancing Trees which is seven large slabs of Mesquite used to create a screen in front of a curved window in a private Chapel.  http://www.louqart.com/Dancing_Trees.html    This piece holds a special place in my heart first because the wood came from one amazing tree in a gentleman's yard in San Angelo.  Second because this project stretched me to my limits and launched me into more sculptural work.  The man never got to see the Dancing Trees in person because he passed away but his family did and said it came full circle because their family originally came to the US from Spain building Missions. To have his tree in a chapel was very important to both him and his family.

What is your public contact info?
www.LouQart.com
www.Mesquite-Musings.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/Mesquite.Furniture
Phone: 325-247-4303 Email: info @ LouQart.com
Shop Visit and Client Consultation
By Appointment Only


What awards/accomplishments have you received?
2013 Llano County Journal  

Readers Choice Awards
Best Local Artist

2012 Best Texas Style
Texas Furniture Makers Show

2012 WOODCRAFT® Award
Texas Furniture Makers Show

2011 Furniture Committee Award
Texas Furniture Makers Show

2011
British Airways
Face of Opportunity Award


Best Texas Style (3 years in a row!!!)

Best Texas Style Furniture
2010 Texas Furniture Makers Show
Curves Coffee Table

Best Texas Style Furniture
2009 Texas Furniture Makers Show

Mesquite Partners Desk

Best Texas Style Furniture
2008 Texas Furniture Makers Show
"Sister" Mesquite Coffee Table

Best Art Furniture
2005 Texas Furniture Makers Show
Mesquite Coffee Table

WESTERN ART & ARCHITECTURE

In case you missed the April/May issue of Western Art & Architecture Magazine our Mesquite Left Side "Sanders Nightstand" was featured as one of their "THINGS WE LOVE" in the section titled "THINGS WE LOVE".   We LOVE Western Art & Architecture's Magazine and now have reason to REALLY love it! Thank you for the mention it is so appreciated! We also love many of the "Things" they featured so be sure to check it out.

Featured as THINGS WE LOVE in April/May Issue of Western Art & Architecture

We feel really blessed to receive such great media attention as we continue along this journey of mesquite furniture making. Sometimes when you are so busy working away and your head is covered deep in sawdust you forget that this is some of the the "IT" that we have been striving for. THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed along the way. Stay tuned because there is SO much more to come....