So art work is in the eye of the beholder. So are someone's rude and rash opinions. Like wise no one can keep it to themselves. Even if you agree with them.
I remember the willow furniture semi-craze of the late 80s/early 90s, here in Southern CA. You could find dozens of swoopy, arched creations clogging the aisles of the Pasadena Flea Market. Willow (or some SoCal substitute), bent into armchairs and little tables, held together mostly by nails and baling wire. It all looked charming, but temporary—the nailed joints lasting about as long as the furniture fad itself. A Veritas tenon cutter or two might have given those hippie creations some staying power✌️☮️✌️
Damn that was rude of them. But at least they did not leave a pigs head on your doorstep. I think the willow stool is cool. It was also a precursor to your peasant furniture. I think a coffee table LAP book of questionable works would sell bonkers in and out of your reader spectrum. With funny anecdotes.
I want to get hold of some willow to use for making fencing in the yard. I have never heard of any one say “hey bud, your willow fence looks shite.”! Though I am sure it’s happened.
Prove them wrong! Make some new rustic pieces, document it and show off your (and others) favorite ones. If it is well received, perhaps a small book, or even a class, could be in order. If nothing else, you can rub the noses of those willow snobs in it.
It’s the journey you chose. The road not taken might have had you refine your design and construction. Also, Go Swedish Bricks! Great for long lumber inside.
Great post Chris. The conclusion is likely correct, however beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I am sure that the stool will likely show up one day in some Smithsonian Museum as an example of your "Willow Phase".
Cripes, woodworkers can be such a-holes, though the overall dynamic seems to have improved substantially. I still have a bad taste in my mouth from some old Sawmill Creek interactions.
Thanks for sharing the picture. It's hideous and I love it. Tons of character. The world needs more lovingly made funky stuff. Successfully re-purposing scraps is a highly, highly underrated accomplishment!
There was a time when I thought the wood forums’d be a convivial place with convivial people where one could find useful information. I was disabused of that notion. Maybe in some isolated cases.
Cruel; yet, funny! The equivalent of the debate line “I knew Jack Kennedy: and you sir, are no Jack Kennedy.”
I do, however like the bench. Do we paste our kids’ art on the refrigerator because it is great? No! We post it because we love them, and their efforts. You made the bench for your dad; he appreciated it. Who cares what the Willow Intelligentsia thinks.
I’m not judging the bench. Or insinuating Chris’s Dad kept it out of love or appreciation and not because he genuinely liked this example of willow furniture. But it’s also possible his Dad was in agreement with the Willow Intellegentsia. Chris didn’t give us enough information to know. Was it kept and displayed proudly or basement forgotten?
So art work is in the eye of the beholder. So are someone's rude and rash opinions. Like wise no one can keep it to themselves. Even if you agree with them.
Perhaps it was as good as theirs and they didn't want your competition.
The author of that letter was correct. I hope you thanked them for your course correction.
I remember the willow furniture semi-craze of the late 80s/early 90s, here in Southern CA. You could find dozens of swoopy, arched creations clogging the aisles of the Pasadena Flea Market. Willow (or some SoCal substitute), bent into armchairs and little tables, held together mostly by nails and baling wire. It all looked charming, but temporary—the nailed joints lasting about as long as the furniture fad itself. A Veritas tenon cutter or two might have given those hippie creations some staying power✌️☮️✌️
Rustic furniture isn’t my cup of tea, but hate gate keeping. makes me see red. Pi$$ on them.
Damn that was rude of them. But at least they did not leave a pigs head on your doorstep. I think the willow stool is cool. It was also a precursor to your peasant furniture. I think a coffee table LAP book of questionable works would sell bonkers in and out of your reader spectrum. With funny anecdotes.
I want to get hold of some willow to use for making fencing in the yard. I have never heard of any one say “hey bud, your willow fence looks shite.”! Though I am sure it’s happened.
Prove them wrong! Make some new rustic pieces, document it and show off your (and others) favorite ones. If it is well received, perhaps a small book, or even a class, could be in order. If nothing else, you can rub the noses of those willow snobs in it.
It’s the journey you chose. The road not taken might have had you refine your design and construction. Also, Go Swedish Bricks! Great for long lumber inside.
Great post Chris. The conclusion is likely correct, however beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I am sure that the stool will likely show up one day in some Smithsonian Museum as an example of your "Willow Phase".
Cripes, woodworkers can be such a-holes, though the overall dynamic seems to have improved substantially. I still have a bad taste in my mouth from some old Sawmill Creek interactions.
Thanks for sharing the picture. It's hideous and I love it. Tons of character. The world needs more lovingly made funky stuff. Successfully re-purposing scraps is a highly, highly underrated accomplishment!
Also, what is the color of the seat? Mauve?
There was a time when I thought the wood forums’d be a convivial place with convivial people where one could find useful information. I was disabused of that notion. Maybe in some isolated cases.
There is always someone whose life's mission is to decapitate the tall poppy.
Cruel; yet, funny! The equivalent of the debate line “I knew Jack Kennedy: and you sir, are no Jack Kennedy.”
I do, however like the bench. Do we paste our kids’ art on the refrigerator because it is great? No! We post it because we love them, and their efforts. You made the bench for your dad; he appreciated it. Who cares what the Willow Intelligentsia thinks.
I’m not judging the bench. Or insinuating Chris’s Dad kept it out of love or appreciation and not because he genuinely liked this example of willow furniture. But it’s also possible his Dad was in agreement with the Willow Intellegentsia. Chris didn’t give us enough information to know. Was it kept and displayed proudly or basement forgotten?
Wow, what a harsh letter !
As an art dealer once said, much better to have an average piece from someone famous than a great piece from an unknown.
The Willows were insecure and mean, I hope they got over it!
Sorry Chris, but I agree with the Willow family……..😎
They say “Art” provokes a reaction out of people.
So your Willow creations must surely have been art!
Did they really go to the trouble of writing a letter?
I think it would have been easier to make a an anonymous call at three am.
Of course half the audience doesn’t know that that was once possible.