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Summer 2007

Guest Faculty Program 2007 Brian Newell
from left Jay T. Robert, Tadi, Stan, Jesse, Gary, Paul, Henry, Kevin, Rich, Brian, Rick, Gary, Jason, Cody, Brian & Ian.

Rick cuts his compound curved panel substraight on the bandsaw. This is Rick’s second program at the school and has already set to putting what he has learned into practice.
 

A skew plane that Robert made in the early nineties and gave to Brian several years ago when they were classmates at the College of the Redwoods.

Rich shapes the convex side of his substraight. This is Rich’s second program at our small school. He has sent several woodworkers our way and we are grateful for his patronage. We look forward to his next visit.

Brian shaping his solid core substraight. Brian has a mind for curves and an amazing family. Mia his eldest was born while he and Robert were in school at the College of the Redwoods.

Finn finishes off as Jay T and Nikki watch on. Jay T is a fine craftsman and possesses wonderful hand skills. His wife Nikki is also an artist. Her work is available at www.buyolympia.com Finn is a sweet young man and appears to be following his father’s footsteps.

Brian and Gary discuss the surface of Gary’s substraight. This is also Gary’s second visit. It was nice in this class to be surrounded by so many like-minded woodworkers. Despite what one might think, Brian’s class did not conflict with what we do but rather complimented what we offer at the school.

Jay T cleans up the concave surface of his substraight with a gouge. The methods taught by Brian were ingenious yet surprisingly simple.

Cody and Brian rough out the concave surface of Cody’s concave substraight. Cody was one of our first resident craftsmen; this was the second guest faculty program he has attended at our school. Always a pleasure.
 

Jesse, always a treat to have around. I had the opportunity to work with Jesse a few years ago and he has been a wonderful source of students ever since. He is getting married in a few weeks. We wish he and Melissa many years of happiness.

Paul and Stan at the bandsaws. The bandsaws saw a lot of use during Brian’s program. Paul is from Whitehorse Yukon and this is his third program at our school. He has a shop in Whitehorse and is doing fine work. We will look forward to his next visit.

Brian and Jason discuss Jason’s panel exercise. Teaching moments like this are often the ones that are fondly remembered.

Brian explains his bag on bag method of veneering panels. Innovation has played a large role in Brian’s success as a craftsman.
 

Form and compound curved substraight. The layers are cross-bonded and extremely strong and surprisingly stable.

Brian routes a spline to connect panels. Brian enjoys his work and it shows.

Brian Newell tests panel. Much of Brian’s work is research and development. He talks about momentum, ideas for the next piece coming while he finishes his current piece.

Rich’s completed parquetry panel in Macassar ebony. After discussion and demonstrations, students had the opportunity to put newly aquired skills to use.
 

Brian and Gary set up mockup compound curved cabinet. Brian shared with the group his simple yet effective sleds used for cutting the angles on these compound curved panels.

Brian wraps up the week with an informal discussion about the state of craft. Brian was well received by all our students. His organic teaching style was relaxed and entertaining. We look forward to his return.