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 peeks through the crack in the Mesquite Lectern
Each
new project usually brings with it a set of lessons and insight into an
artist's ability. We always find that each new project helps stretch and grow
us in both art and in spirit. The clients for this project: The Mesquite
Lectern, have played a distinct role in stretching Lou Quallenberg
artistically as well as spiritually and for that we are so very thankful.
The Lectern was part of the original order for the Chapel with the Dancing Treesand Benches/Pews.
Since there was no specific time frame or deadline for this project Lou
was able to develop the piece while working on other projects. This
gave him a chance to play with the piece and in doing so, add a pop up shelf and
small fold down reading light.
Lou stands next to the face of the lectern to establish size for the client progress report.
The project began with a unique slab from the same tree that theDancing Treeswere cut from. Lou wanted to save the shape of his unique slabbed piece of mesquite but also make it "Dance" alongside the Dancing Trees.
Sketch of Mesquite Lectern
Lou's work almost always begins with a sketch. He usually has an idea of which mesquite slab he will be working with. That helps to develop the sketch which then gives the client a visual confirmation that he is moving in the right direction.
The YouTube video below shows Lou Quallenberg & Shawn Walker as they begin to carve the Mesquite Lectern with a chainsaw.
Lectern begins to take shape
Progress report photos for the client.
Lou Quallenberg's Signature Mesquite Bow Tie
Progress reports and photos are regularly emailed to clients to keep them up to date on their special piece. This allows the client to help direct the design decisions that need to be made and gives them the feeling of participation as well as anticipation.
Lou Quallenberg's Signature Bow Tie on the Lectern makes a symbolic cross shape and holds the large crack in place. We have several clients that request the Bow Tie even if it is not required structurally to hold their commissioned piece together. They like Lou's Bow Tie purely as a design element. The Bow Tie on the Mesquite Lectern was also sculpted to add dimension and catch the light . This required an extra thick, BIG Bow Tie in order to to have room to sculpt it.
Lou with Lectern in the shop for @LAST Art Tour before the finish.
The Mesquite Lectern was in the shop for quite a while as Lou worked on other projects it even made an appearance, showing off its basic shape at the @LAST Llano ART Studio Tour.
The Mesquite Lectern was professionally photographed by Lou before she was taken on delivery to her new home in the chapel alongside the Dancing Trees.
Mesquite Lectern by Lou Quallenberg
Lou Quallenberg's Mesquite Lectern
Shelf DOWN Light UP
Shelf UP Light DOWN
Light from front in DOWN position.
Light side view in DOWN position.
Lou Quallenberg with his Mesquite Lectern
Many Lessons were learned as Lou Quallenberg stretched creatively and spiritually to create the Mesquite Lectern.
DELIVERY DAY
Arriving at the Chapel in the scenic Texas Hill Country
Entering the Chapel
Making its way into the Chapel towards the Dancing Trees
Mesquite Lectern in its rightful place alongside the Dancing Trees
The Dancing Trees and Benches admire their new friend the Lectern.
This year is off to a truly wonderful start. We delivered the Mesquite Media Chest up to the Dallas area ourselves. It was a great break from the shop and a wonderful adventure into the big city. Trust me anything is BIG when you live in Llano, Texas! On our way both up and back we had to stop in Hico at the Koffee Kup first for their famous Burger and then of course the Pie!!! We were surprised to find our sweet friend Jasmine, who is originally from Llano, waitressing there. We were relieved that our clients were so happy with their new piece. They wined and dined us, convinced us to stay an extra night, gave us museum passes and then went and ordered another piece!!
It's been a long time, if ever we had the luxury of going to three wonderful museums in the same day. If you get a chance we recommend them all: The Modern Art Museum of Ft Worth, Kimbell Art Museum and Amon Carter Museum. We got to see Michelangelo's first painting at The Kimbell. He did it when he was twelve or thirteen and it was a true masterpiece!! If that had been the only piece we saw it would have been worth it. We were so fortunate to also see several of our favorites: Van Gogh, Monet, Pissarro, Picasso, Georgia O'Keeffe and even a few early Jackson Pollock pieces. Before we left Llano I had secretly hoped to make the Cowgirl Hall of Fame but the Ft. Worth Livestock Show was going on making that area a bit more crazy than usual. Honestly we just did not have the time to fit it in. Maybe next time?
Well we did it!! We actually produced and uploaded our first instructional video. Check it out on youTube
It was a learning curve and while it is certainly not perfect we can proudly say "WE DID IT!" It was fun and we hope you will take a look, leave comments, rate it and share it with your friends and/or anyone you think might like it. Be sure you catch the out takes at the end. We are open to any ideas and suggestions you might have for future videos.
Our upcoming videos will contain information like:
How we make our Laminated Curves
How we create our Signature Butterfly/ Bow Tie
How we Slice our Wood
Loading the Kiln and the Importance of using Dry Wood.
How we Inlay Turquoise
and many more (well at least 12 total if we do one a month!)
