“… when we see a fine piece of cabinetmaking, we should look closely, and think about what it means, and remember that it is not just pieces of wood put neatly together, but a measurable part of an honest craftsman’s life.“– James Krenov
At the end of each of the lecturers Jim presented when I was in school, and here at our school, there was always a resounding “thanks Jim” from his students. Looking back, I think that it was not only a gesture of respect but a deep appreciation for our teacher.
At the end of last month, I completed my brown oak cabinet, and have titled it ‘Thanks Jim’. On the following Saturday morning I presented it to the class, and a very special guest. Our grandson Elijah, joined us for what would be the first presentation in our new working school. I feel that it was appropriate, that I should be the first to present a new piece.
The case is made from a plank of brown oak, I picked up from Jim in 2006, and was a joy to work. Shortly after announcing that he was no longer able to continue with his work, and that his eyes had betrayed him. He asked me to come down and pick up the last of his cabinet wood.
Among the planks and bits and pieces were leftover veneers from his final cabinets all carefully kept in sequence, his sequence. The were several where he had written and even sketched. On a piece of spalted European beech shop sawn veneer, he had sketched a playful pattern of dovetails, as he handed me the stack of veneer he said that it was when preparing to cut the dovetails on the drawers of his final cabinet that he new it was time to step away from the bench. It was this piece of shop sawn veneer that would be the starting point for my cabinet to house my notebooks.
The case is dovetailed, and the doors coopered and tapered. The absence of pulls and very fine open grain, gives the piece a quite feel I think. The latches and fittings are carved of bocote, and are from a off cut from one of his last planes. The interior, including the back piece is waxed the exterior received two very thin coast of polish. All wooden hardware including the latch has been left untreated.
This past term, has been the realization of a dream more than two decades in the making, and has given me a renewed sense of rhythm in my life and work. Since I began teaching, more than two decades ago, the personal work I have managed to do was always segmented. The work often set aside for periods of time so that the school, and more so my students receive the attention they require and deserve. While I continue to enjoy three hours in my workshop before the students arrive each morning, I also enjoy working quietly at my bench along side my students in a warm, well lit workshop in a beautiful place. Be well and enjoy your work, I know I am.
Robert