Mesquite Hearts - Work is our love made visible

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.....

Mesquite Heart for Cheryl

Set Your Heart On Fire Mesquite Heart

Mesquite Heart Valentine's for Cheryl

Yin Yang Mesquite Hearts

Double Mesquite Heart

Single Mesquite Heart

Franco Mesquite Hearts

Upcoming Events we are involved in......

Llano Earth Art Fest LEAF and World Rock Stacking Championship
March 11-13, 2016
Grenwelge Park - Llano, Texas

@LAST Llano Art Studio Tour
Annually the LAST Saturday in March
Local Art Studios in Llano, Texas

Making Mesquite in the SIZZLING August Heat

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: 

Marta Stafford Fine Art 

200 Main St, Marble Falls, TX 78654

 

The Llano Fine Art Guild & Gallery 

503 Bessemer Ave, Llano, TX 78643

 

Don't miss the Lee Casbeer Special Exhibit in September.

The Western Trappings on The Llano Exhibition & Sale 

September 18, 2015 - November 15, 2015 

at the Llano County Historical Museum

310 Bessemer (Hwy 16), Llano, TX

Grand Opening Weekend Schedule

Meet the Artists Fri September 18 5pm-8pm

Chuck Wagon Breakfast Sat September 19 8am-10:30am

Live AUCTION Sat September 19 1pm 

     (Registration & Preview starts at10:00am)

Plus

Celebrate the Art & Artists

Open House & Reception October 17th 9am-5pm

This year due to time constraints and a full schedule
we will NOT be participating in:

The 16th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show 

Kerr Arts & Cultural Center 

 October 29, 2015 – November 28, 2015

 Awards Reception: November 7, 2015  5:30pm – 8pm

We have and will continue to support this Show. We look forward to seeing what our artist friends will have on display. 

Now maybe someone else besides Lou can win the Best Texas Style Furniture Award :)

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

FACEBOOK

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

FACEBOOK

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.

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"

Sharing, September & Shows

September's shadows 

lean long and hard.

The feel of Fall begins it's bow.

The colors and the show begin,

as winter starts her harsh descent. 

- CW Quallenberg

Lou Quallenberg sharing his knowledge at Art Tour Demo

September always seems to be a stressful month of trying to make up for the slower pace of a heat filled August or sizzling summer (as the case may be.) Show pieces and items are rushed as the arrival of Fall signals  "Show Time" at Lou Quallenberg Studios.  Lou tries to create a new piece each year for the Texas Furniture Makers Show in an effort to support this showcase of incredible talent. We enjoy visiting with the other artists and Furniture Makers at this and other shows that we attend. The sharing of information and the energy exchange that comes from being in a room filled with such amazing artistic talent is exhilarating! 

In 2008 we met an amazing artistic couple at the Western Design Conference in Jackson Hole. Tim Carney of Timothy's Fine Woodworking and Maureen Shaunnessey of  Brown Bird Studio.  Maureen is the one that taught me how easy it is to blog and inspired me to start the Mesquite Musings journey.  The have a great group of woodworkers in Montana  -  The Helena Woodworkers Guild

Check out their Blog: Sawdust & Shavings  It is on that blog that we discovered this great video about sharing skills and passing info along to the next generation.

I love this quote that they pulled from the Video:

"If you don’t hand it on, all that’s not given is lost. So you must — if you get good at something — show other people how to do this."

— Lida Cardozo Kindersley, letter carver

This is exactly what we believe. We are always sharing techniques, sources, information and just about anything else you can think of! Lou feels that if someone is copying his ideas it is a compliment and not a theft like some may see it as. He knows in his heart of hearts that he will always have a new idea or design in his head and nobody can take that from him.



What knowledge skill or craft are you passing along to the future? Do you share it? If not why not?

Lou Quallenberg's Upcoming Shows:

14TH ANNUAL TEXAS FURNITURE MAKERS SHOW

http://www.texasfurnituremakersshow.org/

October 31st-November 30th 2013

Kerr Arts & Cultural Center

WESTERN TRAPPINGS ON THE LLANO

https://www.facebook.com/WesternTrappingsOnTheLlano

October 18th, 2013 - January 4th, 2014

Llano County Historical Museum

A few shows that we wish we had the time for but just could not break away for this year :

The Texas Mesquite Art Festival        The Western Design Conference         Cody High Style

          October 11 - 13, 2013                       September 5-7, 2013              September 18-22, 2013

          Fredericksburg, Texas                    Jackson Hole, Wyoming                Cody, Wyoming

While Lou Quallenberg Studios did not make the final round in the Martha Stewart American Made Awards we are currently in the second round of voting in the Intuit Small Business Big Game Contest. We appreciate your support! You can use this link below to vote for us and who knows maybe Lou will win a Commercial during the Super Bowl!

 

 PLEASE

Antlers in August: Our Mesquite Furniture with Antler Accents

PLEASE NOTE: No deer were harmed in the making of our Mesquite Furniture! ALL antlers used in our Mesquite Furniture are collected White-tailed Deer sheds. These antlers are NATURALLY shed in the spring and a new set is regrown each year on the typical White-tailed buck. 

See an Example HERE: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/game_management/deer/antler_growth/

Antler Mesquite Dining Table with Floating Top

 We thought the Antlers might be an appropriate subject as Llano "The Deer Capital of Texas" gears up for it's annual influx of Deer Hunters.   This FALL is once again filling up fast for Lou Quallenberg Studios.  We are very proud to announce that Lou's work has been juried into the Llano Historical Museum's "Western Trappings on the Llano" a 77 day Exhibition & Sale held inside the museum. The Exhibition will showcase 71 Artists from 3 Countries and 15 States.  We have listed the artists with active links to their websites on our web site HERE: Western Trappings on The Llano. It Grand Opens alongside the 9th Annual Llano River Chuck Wagon Cook Off and the 24th Annual Heritage Festival and features a Live Public Auction of Artwork donated by the participating Artists to benefit the Llano County Historical Museum. The show also spotlights 12 Bronze sculptures by the Internationally known Western Artist Jay Contway.  

"Western Trappings on The Llano" runs from October 18th through January 4th 2014 and is creating quite a stir in town. Don't miss it.

  

We also hope to Jury into the Texas Furniture Makers Show  and get a new piece finished in time for the October 31st - November 30th Show.  The Application was sent out today and they release the "Participating Artists" on Sept 6th. So cross your Fingers!

PLEASE VOTE

Lou Quallenberg's work is currently nominated for Martha Stewart's American Made Awards. Voting goes until Sept 13th so please register and Vote! BTW you can vote up to 6 times daily until the 13th. Vote Here: http://www.marthastewart.com/americanmade/nominee/82887   THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Lou has some exciting new commissions in house that he is working on. The challenges stretch his talent and and feed his artistic soul. We are feeling BLESSED and THANKFUL for our clients both new and old that continue to support his Mesquite Art Furniture Journey.

Mesquite Dining Table with Antler Accents

Base: Mesquite Antler Dining Tab

      

Inside: Mesquite Antler Dining Table Leg

Outside: Antler Mesquite Dining Table Leg

Corner: Antler Mesquite Dining Table

Antler Mesquite Dining Table Corner with Slab Top

Antler Mesquite Dining Table with Sculpted Live Edge 

Antler Mesquite Dining Table:  Side View

Antler Mesquite Dining Table: Underneath

Mesquite Antler Dining Table

Mesquite Media Chest with Antler Drawer Pulls

Front: Mesquite Media Chest with Antler Pulls

Drawers: Mesquite Media Chest with Antler Pulls

Top: Mesquite Media Chest with Antler Pulls

Mesquite Side Table with Antler Drawer Pulls

Front: Mesquite Side Table with Antler Drawer Pulls

Side: Mesquite Side Table with Antler Drawer Pulls

Top: Mesquite Side Table with Antler Drawer Pulls

Mesquite Partners Desk with Antler Accents & Drawer Pulls

Underside Mesquite Partners Desk with Antler Accents & Drawer Pulls

Mesquite Partners Desk with Antler Accents & Drawer Pulls

Mesquite Partners Desk with Antler Accents & Drawer Pulls

Mesquite Partners Desk with Antler Accents & Drawer Pulls

Mesquite Partners Desk with Antler Accents & Drawer Pulls