THE PROCESS

What do you do?

I design and build instruments for musicians to make their artwork with.

What does your work space look like? Where do you like to create?

Within our factory, and duplicated in the old barn behind my home, I have a workshop filled with tools-some basic woodworking machines, and many hand tools.  The flexibility of traditional tools allows me to build whatever I think up.  The prototype instruments I build by hand in these traditional woodshop environments are translated into modern computer models and blueprints in order to design and build production tooling to manufacture duplicates of the prototype instrument.

What role does the pencil play in your process?

My pencil is my guide-the first step in taking an idea to reality.  It will give shape to a thought on paper, help work out an idea, figure measurements.  It will mark the location for the first cut of wood, the first center line, and guide until the last.  Once the guitar is done, it will write the notes and words of the music the instrument will play.

Why do you choose to work with pencils and, specifically, Blackwings?  

While ink can work well with paper, pencils work far better on a wood surface.  As well, pencil marks offer the chance to erase and reconsider-an important quality when making something for the very first time.  In my years of making instruments and writing music, I’ve never found a pencil which wrote as smoothly, marked as clearly, and held a point as well as the blackwing.

What other tools are essential to your process?

I love any tool which does its job effortlessly.  Many of the tools I use were handed to me from my grandfather and great grandfather, tools which continue to work as well now as when they were first made.  For me, these old hand tools and machines are essential for turning trees into music.

How do you overcome ______ block? Writer’s block, artist’s block, etc.

A great furniture maker friend, Sam Maloof, once told me the best way to overcome a creative block is to dive into the process and let the work guide your course.  Take up your tools with a will, and the spark of inspiration will come.  I find he was right.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

When I was young, my parents told me I should figure out what I wanted to do and go do it.  And to never be afraid of or resent the work required to achieve it.  Taking joy and contentment in the the work you do is a great gift.