Best Art Style - Texas Furniture Makers Show

[deepcreek]

We did something a little different at the statewide furniture competition this year.  Our approach to furniture design has always focused on creating unique forms that push boundaries and defy expectations.  We really leaned into the art aspect on this piece and feel rewarded that other people (including the judges) appreciate the result as something special.  We love the opportunity to combine different materials, techniques, and finishes to make one-of-a-kind functional art so this was a natural.
[attachimg=1][attachimg=2][attachimg=3]

 

[deepcreek]

“Southern Cross”
Best Art Style
2021 Texas Furniture Makers Show

This accent table is a delightful piece of functional art combining dramatic contemporary styling with a unique painting of an idyllic night sky.

It celebrates Australia and the indomitable spirit that embodies the “Land Down Under.”  The table top is a spectacular slice of burl from a Red Gum tree which is in the Eucalyptus family.  The natural edge is carbonized using the ancient Japanese Shou Sugi Ban technique and perfectly complements the fiery colored horizontal plane.  The seven pointed “Commonwealth Star” of the Australian federation is inlaid utilizing ivory white Holly.

The genesis for the cantilever design was inspired by George Nakashima’s “Weatherbee” end table that was exhibited in Tokyo in 1968.  We have significantly reimagined the base utilizing a thick steel plate with an elegant, sweeping curved leg.  We enjoy the challenge of working with different materials and combining them together in an unexpected way.

A touch of negative space is provided by precise cutouts of the iconic celestial constellation, the Southern Cross.  The five stars are displayed in a field of galactic blue just as they appear on the Australian flag.  A vibrant splash of Britannia red highlights the leg channel as well as the Union Jack hiding underneath the table top.

In a nod to the Lone Star State which shares a certain kinship with Australia, the table’s leg is sculpted from Native Texas Walnut.  The spine is emblazoned with Aboriginal sand drawing symbols for several different tracks (starting from the bottom) – Human, Dingo, Snake, Kangaroo, Goanna Lizard, Emu, and Brushtail Possum.

Last but certainly not least, a transcendent night scene is hand painted on the front “canvas” featuring the Aboriginal dot technique which imparts both a sense of movement and a hint of mysticism.

The wood finish is a European hardwax oil that has been hand rubbed to a satin sheen.  The steel is finished with professional quality automotive spray lacquer.  The night sky utilizes acrylic art paints applied with a ball stylus and other techniques.

The table measures 34” Long by 28” Wide by 25” Tall

 

[rvieceli]

Congratulations Joe. Wonderful work as usual

Ron

 

[Crazyraceguy]

What did you use to cut the metal? Laser, Plasma cutter?
You pointed out the star in the top, but I didn't see anything about the inlay itself. What is it?
It looks great, congratulations on the award.

 

[tjbnwi]

Congratulations, a well deserved honor.

Tom

 

[deepcreek]

What did you use to cut the metal? Laser, Plasma cutter?

The 3/8" steel plate is cut with aid of a CNC laser at a nearby metal shop.  It's a Mazak that's the size of a school bus.  I did all the design work in AutoCAD and they run the file.

You pointed out the star in the top, but I didn't see anything about the inlay itself. What is it?

The inlay is 14 pieces of premium grade 1/8" thick American Holly.  It is cut on the diagonal so that the opposing grain of each pair creates a feather-like pattern.  Hard to see in the photo.  We made a template to do the rough out in the top with a Festool OF1010 using a Whiteside inlay kit.  Both the inside and outside corners had to be squared up by hand.  The inside corners were so tight that I had to carefully use an X-acto knife with a chisel blade.

[attachimg=1]

 

[deepcreek]

Huge thanks to [member=4105]tjbnwi[/member] for advising me on the paint system.  He told me to use DupliColor rattle cans from the cleaner to the self etching primer to the primer sealer to the colors to the clear coat.

My first attempt was an epic fail when I tried to spray acrylic lacquer over Rustoleum enamel which bubbled the paint.  This required a trip to the sand blaster and starting all over.  Tom told me the error of my ways and steered me straight.

[attachimg=1]

 

[Erich]

This was a favorite of all the projects that Joe and I have built together.

 

[rvieceli]

[member=6237]deepcreek[/member] Joe did you guys manage to do ok in the current storms?

Ron

 

[deepcreek]

[member=6237]deepcreek[/member] Joe did you guys manage to do ok in the current storms?

Ron

[member=3192]rvieceli[/member] Ron - We're all good.  Everything was north of town and we live on the south side.  Thanks for checking.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

My first attempt was an epic fail when I tried to spray acrylic lacquer over Rustoleum enamel which bubbled the paint.  This required a trip to the sand blaster and starting all over.  Tom told me the error of my ways and steered me straight.

Yes! This is always going to be a problem and it has nothing to do with mixing brands. You just cannot put lacquer over enamel ever. The solvents in lacquer will dissolve and destroy the lower layers of enamel. This is why multiple layers of lacquer work though, the top coat melts into the previous one, making them one. The reverse however, is just fine. You can cover lacquer with anything.