The Music of Mesquite

The music of our life plays softly in the background with its high notes and low notes, sometimes speeding along at a pace that is hard to keep up with and sometimes drifting lazily through the air hanging softly on each current. Sometimes it plays so loudly you can't hear anything else and at other times so faint that it can't be distinguished from the beat of your heart. One thing is for sure though it is ALWAYS there beating along to the rhythm of our lives.....

"The music of our life plays softly in the background with its high notes and low notes, sometimes speeding along at a pace that is hard to keep up with and sometimes drifting lazily through the air hanging softly on each current....."

CW Quallenberg

When John Caballero asked Lou Quallenberg to create an award for "Texas Shorty" AKA Jim Chancellor to be presented at this years Llano Fiddle Fest, I was sure he could do it, just not sure how or what would come out of his head and hands. He was super busy with a schedule that was over  and past full.  I dutifully gathered images of fiddles in all kinds of styles from realistic to abstractly, abstract knowing full well that Lou Quallenberg would infuse it with his signature look and unique design style. 

Lou had searched through his inventory for a smaller piece of mesquite. One that was about the right size with some character, but mostly solid and another small piece that would work well as a base.

MESQUITE AWARD  Rough Sketch

MESQUITE AWARD Adding some Depth

MESQUITE AWARD Ready for the Finish

MESQUITE AWARD Ready for some Wax

The pictures above show the progression of form. As it took shape it really started to have Lou's look, feel and style and yet it started to sing its own sweet little song. Lou had not done much in the way of sculpture even thought that is the direction his work seems to be taking him more and more.  So we THANK John Caballero and the Llano Fiddle Fest for the opportunity to stretch. The incredible response to this little piece of art has the wheels turning for a few more small pieces. Now if we could just add a few more hours to the day....

 MESQUITE AWARD created for Llano Fiddle Fest and presented to Jim "Texas Shorty" Chancellor

 

 

So just who was this award being created for? WHO IS Jim "Texas Shorty" Chancellor ? and why was he getting an award?  Let me tell you it was a good thing we did not do this research before Lou did the work or he might have felt too intimidated to do the piece. WOW! This man is a Living Legend! We found him on the Kennedy Center website,  The National Endowment for the Arts,  Masters of Traditional Arts.  He was everywhere!!! and man can he play the fiddle!

For a little taste of this Fiddling National Treasure check these videos out:  

http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/videos/?id=M4401

We hope that the MUSIC of your life plays as sweetly as it does here in our life and that you take the time to STOP & LISTEN while it plays on.

@LAST was a blast: Llano Art Studio Tour

Lou Quallenberg & Ralph Moresco  Llano Art Studio Tour

 The 3rd Annual @LAST Llano Art Studio Tour went well this year. We had over 100 visitors to the shop. The tour is always a great reason for some spring cleaning and organizing the shop. For the last two years we have been saying maybe next year will be in our new location. But REALLY maybe next year we will finally be in a new larger location. It was obvious this year that we are running out of space.  The new MiniMax machine and all of the mesquite wood  leave no room for the pieces and projects that are on the work schedule.  It has become a balancing act to find space to work in.

We were happy once again to have Annette and Ralph Moresco of West Shore Wind Spirals with their beautiful  Copper Wind Spirals at the shop with us. They were holding a drawing for one of their hanging wind spirals and of course everyone wanted to sign up to win!  They are such a sweet and wonderful couple and we really enjoy hanging out with them and of course watching those incredible copper creations,  spin,  spin,  spin in the wind. 

Take a few moments and watch the video to see what I mean - mesmerizing.

 

Lou did a scheduled  demonstration on mesquite wood care,  oiling and waxing. He also talked a bit about the insect predators of mesquite and how even a finished piece can have the bugs in them if the wood was not properly handled and treated. You know you have the bugs if you find little piles of sawdust under your piece. It is not a pleasant suprise and not always an easy issue to deal with. That whole topic deserves it's own future blog post.

John Caballero of  Apple Valley Orchard and Llano Fiddle Fest fame stopped by and serenaded us with a few tunes on the mandolin. He is one hard working guy and we really appreciated his taking the time out to hang with us. I know we were not the only ones on the art studio tour that he visited and played for.  Thank you John!

Next weekend is the Fiddle Fest in Llano so if you are in the area come for some great family fun and incredible fiddeling.  We happen to know and love the two time reigning Champion "AIR" Fiddler Robin Chiesa and plan to be there as she goes for the crown the third time.  Check out her past winning performances here on YouTube :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o86ELfDSx4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RNWOmtPVU8

and then come join us as we cheer her on hopefully to a third championship title on Friday April 5th at the Badu House in Llano, Texas.

The worst thing about the @LAST Llano Art Studio Tour is we don't get a chance to visit the other locations on the tour because we REALLY would enjoy doing that. It is so much fun to visit artists in their work spaces and I think that is what makes our studio tour succeessful each year.

This year the @LAST Llano Art Studio Tour,  held annually the last saturday in March, fell on the Saturday before Easter.  In order to celebrate the Easter tradition we filled over 100 Easter eggs with candy but the green ones held a special mesquite wood charm that can be hung on a chain, ribbon or keychain.  I know they were a hit because people started looking inside the eggs to see if they could find them.  The kids of course prefered the candy.   

Happy Easter! 

Happy Spring!

You can't spell Heart without ART

"You can't spell heart without art" via Keep calm o matic.

February is the month known for the heart. With Valentine's Day falling at the halfway point in the month, the CDC creating awareness of Heart Disease by proclaiming February American Heart Month and the American Heart Association's: Wear Red Day on Feb 1st. Hearts abound and  surround us during this month long tribute to hearts everywhere.  Even in Llano, Texas at Lou Quallenberg Studios the heart takes center stage as annually on February 14th Lou creates a mesquite heart for the quote "love of his life".   You can't spell heart without art!  This month I wanted to show support for a few wood Artists with heart that we are trying to support through KickStarter.

If you are not familiar with KickStarter it is an online funding platform for creative projects similar to IndiGoGo another online crowdfunding platform that is a bit more global and less specific project oriented. Both sites have their advantages but we seem to be drawn to KickStarter projects for some reason. The KickStarter funded film  Inocente — the story of a 15-year old girl from California who refuses to give up her dream of being an artist — just won an Oscar for Best Documentary (Short Subject). It was one of three KickStarter films that received Oscar nominations.

Lou Quallenberg's Mesquite Heart for 2013

The first KickStarter campaign that we contributed to was our artist friends Al and Mary Hone's Freedom in a feather project to purchase  PMC clay, tools and a kiln. We have always loved the wood carving and artwork of Al Hone and credit him as the reason Lou started doing the Western Design Conference in Cody, Wyoming.  The project was unfortunately unsuccessful at funding but it got us hooked. We began regularly looking at the projects to see if anything new was of interest.  We were hugely disappointed to miss out on Joshua Harker's 3D printed filigre skull Crania Anatomica Filigre: Me to You.

We were excited to discover the work of James McNabb of  McNabb &Co. with his City Series. Even more excited when we realized that he would soon be doing a KickStarter Project, which meant we could have a small piece of his amazing work. We also felt it necessary to support him winning a Laguna Tools Band Saw in their Show us your Love Contest.  A great bandsaw is a required tool for the kind of work he is doing.  We love the fact that he works with his wife and has his dog featured on his KickStarter and website. As we post this he is less than $100 from his $5000 goal on Kickstarter and with 16 days to go we think you should go sign up and support him and his amazing work.

James McNabb
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
www.McNabbStudio.com

The next artist we discovered on KickStarter was Gustav Reyes with his unique bent wood pieces of furniture and jewelry. He was looking to purchase a  wood compression machine for $135,000 and we had hoped to really help push him the next two weeks of his project but as I started to write this we discovered that he has canceled his project. :(  He is still a very talented artist and we won't be surprised to watch as his work increases in popularity. 

Gustav Reyes
Chicago, Illinois
www.GustavReyes.com

The thing about these two wood artists is they each have unique vision and an obvious passion, putting their HEART into their work.  We truly love to be around and support talented artists in as many ways as we can. I know that if we had unlimited resources this is where it would go. With that said an idea has been brewing. As we outgrow our current location and begin the work of finding and relocating to a larger property and  pace. Perhaps it is  an opportunity to create a place of  art. A place  of  learning and sharing between artists and our rural community.  A place for artists to reside on location in guest houses to pursue their passions.  As the dream or vision comes more into focus perhaps a KickStarter project will help make it into a reality.

A New Year & A New Tool

Well we are already thirty one days into the New Year and I am wondering where all those days went?  If time continues at this speed we will be buying Christmas presents again in a few weeks. 

 The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year.  It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes.  Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions.  Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective.  ~G.K. Chesterton

 The new year came with a new piece of equipment for the shop to help make things go a little faster. A way, we hope for us to start afresh and be effective.  

Our new arrival from Italy finally made it off the trailer and into the shop. It is even BIGGER than BARNEY!

 Mini Max CU300 Smart : 8.5' sliding table and oversized framing unit with swing arm.

Now how do we get it off the trailer and into the shop without damaging Matthew's new BIG box?!

But first we had to get it off the trailer and into the shop.  I tried to ask for  a little local help on facebook but we could not get a signal to use facebook on  phone, tablet or computer that afternoon so we had to go manual and back to the basics. It was just that kind of day.  So rolling the thing on logs just like the Egyptians and other ancient cultures seemed a no brainer.

A few generations of helping hands.

Our first full look at the new member of the family.

A few crow bars and some rollers....

slowly slowly slowly

What were we thinking?

Maybe a little superman impression will do the trick?

Finally ready for the unveiling.

I thought Christmas was in December!

I was honestly just happy that nobody got hurt in this crazy unloading method that we chose to use.  It was an interesting mix of brainpower, muscle and he man thinking.  Pure entertainment for those lucky few that got to watch!  

Speaking of entertainment never underestimate the value of a BIG box. I showed Matthew how to use the box cutter. Windows and doors magically emerged and kept him entertained all weekend long.

A boy and his BIG BOX!! So much FUN!!

Matthew gets to use a box cutter to cut windows and doors.

A few NEW things going on here in Llano:

Check out our Barney on his new facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/BarneyTheWoodshopWonderDog

Get Woodworking Week was conceived and developed by Tom Lovino of Tomsworkbench.com a frequent columnist for, Wood Magazine writing as "The Shop Monkey" as well as Tom’s Tips on Wood Talk Online.  The basic idea is that all of the woodworking bloggers and podcasters gear the content on their sites that week to novice or soon-to-be woodworkers in an effort to encourage them to get into the craft.  In support of "Get Wood working Week" we will offer a special MESQUITE prize drawing that week. To be eligible you must do each of the following: #1 comment on a blog post in Mesquite Musings #2"Like" our Mesquite Furniture Page on Facebook #3 Friend or Subscribe to Lou Quallenberg on Facebook #4 "Like" Barney the Woodshop Wonder Dog on Facebook #5 Post a photo of a wood project that you made, want to make or are making to the Mesquite Furniture page on facebook - It does not have to be made from mesquite.  (You cannot be a regular woodworking hobbyist or pro - this is for newbies people!)

COMING SOON:

Watch the @LAST Llano Art Studio Tour video below for a little taste of what is to come in March in Llano, Texas.

 Don't miss the @LAST Llano Art Studio Tour held annually on the LAST Saturday in March. That makes it March 30th this year. Mark your calendars today!!!

Keep up to date by "liking" the @LAST Llano Art Studio Tour page

 on facebook here: 

 https://www.facebook.com/Llano.Art.Studio.Tour       

and

by joining the event here:

https://www.facebook.com/Llano.Art.Studio.Tour/events

please "like", "share" and "invite" your friends!!!

And finally......

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ---Benjamin Franklin

We hope that we are better humans with the passing of this past year.  I think we have grown and become even more aware of our challenges and weaknesses as well as our strengths.  It is our true goal to be better,  more loving people on this incredible planet and we will keep trying until we get it right.

"Drifting" along in December

We picked up Lou Quallenberg's "Drift" Mesquite Slab Coffee Table from The13th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show this month and brought her to the shop to be stripped and then refinished. Lou's standards are very high and since the finish was rushed in order to get the piece to the show on time, he felt he needed to strip it and redo it.  Apparently the judges had no problem with the finish since they awarded "Drift" the "Best Texas Style" Award and the WOODCRAFT® Sponsor Award at the 13th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show.  We also finally got "Drift" into the photography studio for a few beauty shots. But the very best news of all is that "Drift" was also delivered to her new home in the Hill Country this month! 

 

The name "Drift" came to us as Lou was working on the piece.  The sculpted part of this floating three part table almost looked like a piece of driftwood. One artist observer commented "mermaid" about the piece.  "Drift" is a new concept piece "including the sculpture or art into the actual coffee table." We have looked and not seen anything else like it online or otherwise. It is definitely the direction that Lou's work will move in as he continues to stretch and grow artistically. Much more sculptural and artistic but still functional. 

"Drift" Description:
This new concept piece for the artist represents an evolution in his distinct design style. The piece combines and incorporates his signature, sculpted, live-edge style with a more sculptural, art piece, edge slab. This Texas mesquite coffee table features the artist's signature floating top as well as a floating, sculptural, conversation piece, edge slab. The “float” is achieved atop seven stainless steel pins, welded to four steel bars that are screwed into routered grooves in the table top. The base was kept straight and simple to keep the focus on the sculptural top. A black epoxy is used to fill selected holes cracks and crevices. Lou attempts to draw the soul of the tree into each piece he creates. If you get a chance to look at and touch his work you will probably find it talking to you, maybe even singing. It is a goal Lou Quallenberg tries to reach in each of his pieces. 
Dimensions: 16” height x 32” width x 104” length 

concept sketch of the drift pavilion rendering © snarkitecture

Interestingly the name "Drift" was used by Snarkitecture  of  Brooklyn, New York for their really incredible pavilion entrance at this years Design Miami. Guess the name was "drifting" around and landing on the hearts and minds of artists here and there.  We are really glad because now Design Miami is on our radar and who knows perhaps our future?

We have been so wonderfully blessed this year with clients and collectors that REALLY get what Lou Quallenberg Studios is all about. A recent email from a client included this message:

Dear Lou,

.............You are one of these rare masters, who pay attention to all details and create timeless objects of beauty.

Here is a fragment of the poem that came to my mind as I unwrapped the blanket:

All are architects of Fate,
Working in these walls of Time;
Some with massive deeds and great,
Some with ornaments of rhyme.

Nothing useless is, or low;
Each thing in its place is best;
And what seems but idle show
Strengthens and supports the rest.

For the structure that we raise,
Time is with materials filled;
Our to-days and yesterdays
Are the blocks with which we build.

Truly shape and fashion these;
Leave no yawning gaps between;
Think not, because no man sees,
Such things will remain unseen.

In the elder days of Art,
Builders wrought with greatest care
Each minute and unseen part;
For the Gods see everywhere.

Let us do our work as well,
Both the unseen and the seen;
Make the house, where Gods may dwell,
Beautiful, entire, and clean.

Happy Holidays, Tad

Lou Quallenberg's Drift

WOW!!! We recognized bits of the poem "The Builders" from "The Seaside and the Fireside" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) but what an honor to have a client/collector say this about your work.  Obviously the love, passion and attention to detail, DO come across and speak to those willing to listen.

In the elder days of Art,
Builders wrought with greatest care
Each minute and unseen part;
For the Gods see everywhere.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

As December and 2012 drift to a close we THANK YOU for your support of this mesquite furniture making adventure. We wish you a beautiful and wonderful New Year, full of health, wealth, wisdom and most of all family and friends!

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

Time keeps ticking away

"S-curve" an early more primitive piece shown at 2011Texas Furniture Makers Show

Time is ticking away. The year is already winding down. Is it just me? or is time moving faster? It seems as if there is not enough time in the day to get all of the many things that are required to function in this day and age, accomplished. Most of the things originally considered time savers have actually snuck their way into the time waster category.  Cell phones make us slaves to their tones and vibrations.  The internet that connects us to everything and everyone, tempts us with meaningless info, cute cat photos, bizarre happenings, and viral videos. Don't let me get started on social media.....

Lou is often overheard saying he does not have enough time left in this lifetime to complete the many projects he has bouncing around in his brain.  I have seen some of his sketches and I know he is right. Don't get me wrong,  I know he will definitely be leaving behind an artistic trail of mesquite furniture and objet all photographed, cataloged and assigned to their original buyers and locations.  I suspect this feeling is true of most artists and probably one of the very catalysts that drive them to produce that thing that they each do so well - their own individualized "art."

We are currently under a serious time crunch as Lou tries to finish up a new piece for the Texas Furniture Makers Show and a few commissioned pieces that are due to the clients in early November.  This has been an incredibly busy year for us and we feel so very blessed to have such great clients, both old and new.  Last year Lou did not even have time to attempt creating a new piece for the Texas Furniture Makers Show and we ended up putting in an earlier more primitive piece.  Lou Quallenberg's work has become much more sculptural and artistic. This years entry piece will clearly show how much his work has evolved.

 Texas Furniture Makers Show 

A Statewide Competition of the Finest Custom Furniture Makers in Texas

November 8 through December 8, 2012

Kerr Arts & Cultural Center
228 Earl Garrett Street

Kerrville, Texas 78028

Reception November 17, 5:30 - 8 pm

Gallery Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday, 1 - 4 pm

We recently had the opportunity to visit with our friends, Utah Artist Les Powers and his wonderful wife Tauni. They stopped by Llano on their way to a show in Austin to visit, see the shop and pick up some mesquite wood. Les makes such amazing sculptural pieces combining wood and stone that wrap, twist and weave around each other. Each one carefully named and thought out with a story full of meaning. His work can be viewed online at NaturesForms.net.  During our visit Les made the same comment Lou does about not having enough time to produce all the work floating around in his head.  I think Lou feels the way about Les's brain that I feel about his.  "In awe" is a probably a simple way to describe it.

Sharing ideas and info.

Les Powers, Lou Quallenberg & Simba

Les Signing a piece for the show

Tauni makes a beautiful background

Les even stacks his wood artistically

 
We met Les & Tauni at the Western Design Conference in 2008 the first year it was held in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We connected immediately and chose to meet up and hang out again at the Western Design Conference the following year, along with Tim Carney and his beautiful artist wife Maureen Shaughnessy - who by the way encouraged us to start this blog. Meeting and sharing with incredible artists is one of our favorite social pastimes. We met Tom Dean of Milo Creek Carvings at the 2009 WDC and continue to joke and tease with him to this day. We always enjoy connecting, sharing and feeding the inspiration and energy that occurs as artists gather, socialize and share.

This quote sums it all up: 

"Artists are some of the most driven, courageous people on the face of the earth. They deal with more day-to-day rejection in one year than most people do in a lifetime.... Every day, artists face the financial challenge of living a freelance lifestyle, the disrespect of people who think they should get real jobs, and their own fear that they’ll never work again. Every day, they have to ignore the possibility that the vision they have dedicated their lives to is a pipe dream. With every role, they stretch themselves, emotionally and physically, risking criticism and judgment. With every passing year, many of them watch as the other people their age achieve the predictable milestones of normal life - the car, the family, the house, the nest egg. Why? Because artists are willing to give their entire lives to a moment - to that line, that laugh, that gesture, or that interpretation that will stir the audience’s soul. Artists are beings who have tasted life’s nectar in that crystal moment when they poured out their creative spirit and touched another's heart. In that instant, they were as close to magic, God, and perfection as anyone could ever be. And in their own hearts, they know that to dedicate oneself to that moment is worth a thousand lifetimes.” - David Ackert

We would have never known about the show if we had not discovered the incredible work of Al Hone in a copy of the Sourcebook from the Western Design Conference. His work and the opportunity to meet him was one of the reasons we decided to do that final 2006 Western Design Conference in Cody, Wyoming. (That and the fact that Sam Maloof was one of the judges!)

Al and Mary Hone and their pup named Roxie are the authentic faces of Western art and design.   Al's award winning carved masterpieces and sculptures are so incredible in their detail and design.

Check out a few of his available pieces:

Spirit of the Tetons 46w x 26d x 30h

Executive Desk

Credenza: 93w x 98h x 22d   

Desk: 60w x 32d x 30h

Longhorn Cabinet 90h x 46w x 21d

Raven Magic Mirror 52w x 44h

For  more take a look at his website: AlHone.com.  Mary uses antique trade beads and creates beautiful beaded jewelry, leather work and accessories inspired by native Indian patterns and design. Together they are traveling the country in an RV, creating their art and living their dream.  I suspect that even living that lifestyle they still feel time leaking away here and there.  Who knows maybe quelling that feeling of time shrinking away is why they chose to pack up and hit the road in the first place.