Heart

“What we need, is more heart in the work!” -JK

impractical Cabinetmaker program fall 2017

This past week, we completed the fall term of our Impractical Cabinetmaker program. While students continue to enjoy 24/7 access to the school, this term we returned to our six day a week teaching schedule. Saturday is a special day at the school for me. We begin the day listening to one of Jim’s lectures and watching a slideshow from his archive. The rest of the day is dedicated to lectures that do not require machines and individual consults. Advanced program students and I have the opportunity to review their upcoming work and principle steps.

Henry working on his sawhorses

During Henry’s first visit to the school he wrote a blog about his time here. I found out this term, that it was his blog that was responsible in part for for Tang first attending our school. I am so grateful for this and for the opportunity to work with such a lovely man.

Georg flushing the frame of his back

It has been such a pleasure to work with such a kind and gentle soul. I am so pleased that Georg intends to balance woodworking with gardening when he returns to Mexico following the program. Georg like many of our students was new to the craft. On the final day of the program, as I sat with a cup of tea on the porch. I watched Georg plane the surfaces of his curved veneered panel. The taping as he set the plane, the shavings that surrounded his bench and the smile on his face. I was filled with a deep sense of gratitude.

Fu cutting the joinery for his drawer

At the end of summer term, we had a last minute cancellation. I’m not sure who we lost, but I am so happy we had the opportunity to work with Fu. He is a very patient man with a background in furniture manufacturing in his native Taiwan.

Matt with his wabi sabi cabinet

Matt is a talented young craftsman who took full advantage of the 24/7 access to the school. In addition to completing all his exercises very well, Matt made a small dovetailed box in curly maple with a veneered sliding lid featuring parquetry, a very ambitious side project, beautifully done. We very much look forward to his return this spring for the Upward Spiral program.

Greg working on bench top sawhorses

Already a skilled woodworker, Greg used his time at the school to refine his hand skills and in doing so, did some of the tightest work we have seen in the Impractical Studies program. Greg's passion for the craft was most evident in his work. Even having come from a machine heavy environment, Greg really embraced the emphasis on handwork here at the school. 

Torrie planing surfaces

Watching Torrie develop as a craftsman has been a joy for me. We are so grateful to have this fine young craftsman back for the Upward Spiral program next term, as he continues on his journey. Torrie shares his passion for the craft with his wife Maggie, who was regularly in attendance for the Saturday morning lectures and carries the other end of the plank.

the wizard hat of dark arts

The wizard hat was Yvonne’s suggestion for the dark arts lecture. I am including this image because I still love her, even though she often makes strange requests and suggestions.

Andre presents his fine cabinet

Andre during the presentation of his upward spiral. Andre made a fine pipe cabinet out of a piece of garry oak, a piece that had been resting in my workshop for a few years. I bought the piece on a wood run to the Frazer valley with the pipe cabinet in mind. We are grateful to have Andre returning for the winter term for Vidar’s chair.

lovely people, lovely work

Tang completed Impractical Studies last fall and went home, making several pieces before returning for the Upward Spiral program this past term. During the presentation of his fine pipe cabinet Tang shared with us his approach to the work; care, competence and confidence. While on the coast Tang’s wife Judy joined a local quilters group and was immediately embraced by the community.  We very much look forward to their next visit.

sharing the work

 Andi’s showcase cabinet is staged for the first time, a moment of celebration and impromptu walkaround. Sharing of the work with one another continues to be an important part of learning at the school. 

Stan and fitting the horizontal partition of his cabinet

This past term, was Stan’s sixth visit to the school. His first was during the last year Jim spoke at the school. Stan completed the Artisan program the rather condensed previous incarnation of Impractical Studies over a few summers while still working as an engineer. Within a few days of retirement, he returned for the Upward Spiral program where he made a fine cherry box and frame with a spalted maple panel. This past spring he joined us for Vidar’s chair. This term he began his composing program piece a fine double door curved front cabinet on a stand. The wood for the piece came from Goby’s on the wood run to Portland last fall. The tones in this piece of ash range from pinks, to orange to mauve unlike any ash I have seen before. With the wonderful colors came several defects that had to be carefully worked around. The intention was to make the case in solid wood, but once the doors where taken out the remaining wood a challenge to piece together. The decision was made to make lumber core and lay it up with shop sawn veneer and edges. There are many pieces of wood in this fine cabinet.

Andi with doors hung on lower cabinet in English Brown Oak

Andi with the doors hung on his lower cabinet. The upper cabinet has since been completed with the glass doors hung and backs installed. Andi just has the pulls and base to complete next term before moving onto his next cabinet. Andi is the first recipient of the newly established Doug Ives Scholarship, which was announced at the celebration of life for Doug held at the school this past September. The intention of the scholarship, is to provide graduates of our Impractical Cabinetmaker program the opportunity to continue their studies at the school. Since the celebration of life we have received generous support for this scholarship through Doug’s family and our alumni. If you would like to make a donation to this scholarship, please contact Yvonne.

'Heart' cabinet by Robert Van Norman photography by Tim Andries

This past term I completed a cabinet that I began thirteen years ago. I took the advice of Michael Burns, one of my teachers who suggested that after leaving school we build one piece a year from the heart. Since founding the school, I have found it a challenge to find the time and the focus required for such work. In the end there were three obstacles that stood in the way of completion of the cabinet. The damage to parts not carefully stored over the years, in many cases with no replacement wood. My abilities as a craftsman and the third the enthusiasm for the piece which wained over the years.

pull detail 'Heart' cabinet by Robert Van Norman photography by Tim Andries

As with most pieces I have made, this cabinet began with a piece of wood. In the dark corner of lumber yard in Burlington I found a small piece of Balsamo. I was immediately taken by the warm tones and the spicy floral fragrance which is still evident when one opens and closes the drawers. The balsamo was easy to work with a high angle plane. I have since past along to one of my students.

drawer graphics detail 'Heart' cabinet by Robert Van Norman photography by Tim Andries

The drawers parts were taken from a thick plank of doussie from Jim. The doussie was straight and rift, with a lovely dark streak that ran down one side of the plank which I aligned through all the drawers. The doussie was easily worked with my planes and spokeshaves. The pulls were a joy to curve with one of Jim's fine knives.

drawer bottom graphics detail 'Heart' cabinet by Robert Van Norman photography by Tim Andries

The drawer bottoms are wonderfully fragrant Mendocino cypress with a bit of curl, a gift from Todd Sorenson (now teaching at the Krenov School) during his residency here back in 2007.

stand detail 'Heart' cabinet by Robert Van Norman photography by Tim Andries

The wood for the stand we picked up on a wood run on Vancouver Island a few years ago. I was looking for the right piece of yew to make the stand for my cabinet when Gavin, one of my students at the time said, “Would this be any good for making planes?” I said yes, that we had used goncolo alves for planes in the past, but that it would also work for my stand. Gavin was a kind and gentle soul and was very gracious allowing me to have that piece. I cut the shoulders and cheeks of the tenons on Jim’s bandsaw. The wood was very hard and had a lot of defects, but what was usable worked beautifully under Jim’s wonder shave.

drawer detail 'Heart' cabinet by Robert Van Norman photography by Tim Andries

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our students, our alumni and our families who make it possible for us to pursue this wonderful craft. I would like to thank alumni Tim Andries who has taken on the photography for the school. I will post student work from the last two terms when it is available. I would like to thank Caroline my co-teacher and dear friend who’s efforts enable me to return to the craft that so inspired me to found this school. And of course my partner in life and work, my soul mate Yvonne, who continues to keep it fun lovin’ and groovy.  
Be well and enjoy your work,
Robert

ps Happy Birthday Jim:)

Full Circle

With my return to teaching full time for the term, we felt it best to limit the intake. The small class size felt a bit like coming full circle for Yvonne and I. We both spent a lot of time reminiscing about the early years at the school, with just her and I and a few students. 

Yvonne takes on Teaching Assistant role at the school

With Caroline away on sabbatical, Yvonne took on a much more active role in the workshop. In addition to her office duties, she has taken on an teaching assistant role and machine maintenance at the school. Over the years, I have trained several people on the machines, however I don’t recall anyone taking it on with such enthusiasm and doing it so well. I can’t take much credit here, all the years working along side her father, a farmer and heavy duty mechanic, I think had something to do with it.

Yvonne assists Marion with first assembly of her chair

As a graduate of our Impractical Studies Program and having been with Robert his entire life as a craftsman, Yvonne has been involved countless assemblies. Yvonne is shown here with Marion during the first assembly of her chair.

Marion assists Ron in the assembly of his Wabi Sabi cabinet

Ron from Mission British Columbia completed his first term. He is shown with Marion during the assembly of his wabi sabi cabinet early on in the program. Ron, already a seasoned woodworker has taken his craft to a whole new level. Ron has an impressive collection of fine Japanese tools, many handed down to him by his wife Yuko’s family. His work is only out shined by his generosity, sending each of his classmates and teacher away with several pieces of special wood.

Marion and Andi share a laugh during assembly of her chair

Andi and Marion served fine mentors to our first term students.

David carves the pull for his drawer

David from Scotland just completed his first term. I will always remember David as you see him here, at his bench. In all his time at the school, I only recall seeing him outside the school on two occasions. When I would arrive in the morning, leave in the evening or come in after yoga on Saturday and Sunday mornings this is where I would find him, at his bench. David took full advantage of twenty four hour a day, seven days a week access to the school. His incredible progress was influenced by his aesthetic sensibilities and architectural background however it was his focus and dedication to the craft that was most inspiring for me.

Robert assists Marion with the front assembly of her chair

 Marion and her completed chair

Marion from France just completed her third term of study. As I watched her gracefully (ok gracefully might be a strong word) remove the last of the protective wrapping of her chair, I reflected back on her inspiring progress as a craftsman. To think that when she visited the workshop a year ago, she joined us with no experience and just completed what Gary Kent, our relief teacher describes as one of the most challenging pieces he has made over all his years as a craftsman. We are very grateful to have the opportunity of working with this fine young craftsman at the beginning of her journey, and are very much looking forward to her return in November for two terms of our Composing program. 

Andi shares a quiet moment with his completed chair

Andi from Germany just completed his third term, will be joining us for our Composing program for the fall and winter terms. Andi finished up his chair, in time to mockup his composing cabinet and has already cut veneers and rough milled for most of the large showcase cabinet in English brown oak. It will be a challenging piece filled with subtleties and complexities. As many of my students have found, having just built the chair instills their confidence as a craftsman. I suspect Andi is pressing the last of his lumber core as I write. Andi is a gentle soul, has a good eye and has developed wonderful hand skills since arriving at the school.

Robert supports Andi with initial resawing

Refeal and his fine cabinet

Refeal from Israel just completed his Residency, his seventh term at the school. There is no greater feeling of accomplishment for a teacher than watching one of their students abilities surpass their own. It has been a pleasure watchings Refeal grow as a craftsman and as an individual throughout his nearly two full years at the school. Throughout his time here, and even more so in his final two terms, he has served as a fine example to his peers. 

Marion keeping it fun lovin and groovy

Metta

In addition to teaching full time this term, I found myself at the school more after hours, and realized how much more I enjoy being at the school, when the machines are not in use. In the early years, I taught with the machines running six days a week. Several years ago we made the decision to drop Saturdays with the expectation that students would use the time to nurture their hand skills. At a year end exhibition, one of our alumni suggested, that the significantly reduced machine hours lead to greater productivity and an increase in quality. This fall term will mark my return to teaching Saturdays, but without the machines. While we have never neglected the use of machines at our school, there has always been a sensitive and sensible emphasis on the use of hand tools. The JK lecture and slideshow will also be moving to Saturday mornings at 9am making it easier for our alumni to join us, a trend that continues to grow. 

In the Vipassana tradition of meditation, which I practice for an hour twice a day, metta is given at the end of each sitting. Metta is described as the transmittance of unconditional love and compassion. This fall my return to teach on Saturdays is the metta that I give to myself and to my students.
Be well and enjoy your work,
Robert

Celebration of Life & work

Please join us as we celebrate the life and work of Doug Ives, a dear friend and quintessential Impractical Cabinetmaker, who passed away last fall. Doug attended our school in our inaugural year, later returning for two years, and in doing so established himself as one of the finest craftsman and creative souls to have come through the school.

The Celebration of Doug's life Life and Work will take place at the school on Friday September 22, 2017 at 6pm. Doug's work will be on display and refreshments will be served. The ceremony is open to all who had the privilege of knowing Doug, and those less fortunate, missing the opportunity to meet this kind and gentle soul, who touched so many lives.

Gratitude

We have just completed our Spring term at the school. On the final day of the term, as is tradition, the students, teachers, alumni, friends and family gathered at our home for a lovely term end elephant. As I addressed the group I reflected back on what was a significant term in the history of our small school, one word came to mind Gratitude.

Recent Work

Composing Cabinet by  Jessie Lafleur  Photography by Tim Andries

Jessie Lafleur completed his second residency term at the school. He is currently working on a lovely wall cabinet in teak, olive and Lebanese cedar. The cabinet shown was completed last fall during in Composing, and was recently photographed by alumni Tim Andries. The 'Cortes' cabinet is made of pear and arbutus on a stand of granadillo. The workmanship of the piece is impeccable and shows great attention to detail.

Detail of Composing Cabinet by  Jessie Lafleur  Photography by Tim Andries

Door and pull detail of Composing Cabinet by  Jessie Lafleur  Photography by Tim Andries

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Composing Cabinet by  Refeal Greenblatt   Photography by Tim Andries

Refeal Greenblatt from Israel, just completed his second term of Composing and will be moving into a residency this summer. Refeal completed this cabinet in pear, arbutus, red cabruva and Honduran rosewood in the winter term, and has since moved onto parquetry cabinet with integrated stand in kwila, doussie and tan oak. The construction of his current piece is deceptively complex and workmanship is among the best we have seen at the school. When reflecting on his progress as a craftsman, having arrived at the school with vary limited experience in the craft, it has been remarkable. 

Interior of Composing Cabinet by  Refeal Greenblatt   Photography by Tim Andries

Drawer detail of Composing Cabinet by  Refeal Greenblatt   Photography by Tim Andries

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Upward Spiral Cabinet by  Tim Andries   Photography by Tim Andries

Tim Andries talents as a photographer are only surpassed by his abilities as a craftsman and perhaps hoarder of wood. This cabinet in claro walnut, london plane and amazon rosewood was completed last fall during Upward Spiral. He has since completed a fine Vidar's Chair in his third term, and will be returning for a part time residency this summer. The composition and workmanship of this cabinet is exquisite, the fact it is his first cabinet makes it that much more impressive.

Interior of Upward Spiral Cabinet by  Tim Andries   Photography by Tim Andries

Drawer detail of Upward Spiral Cabinet by  Tim Andries   Photography by Tim Andries

Pull detail of Upward Spiral Cabinet by  Tim Andries   Photography by Tim Andries

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Cabinet on Stand by Spencer Barnard  Photography by Tim Andries

Spencer Barnard completed his residency in the fall. The cabinet shown above was made during Composing, ia made of Sipo, highly figured and spalted big leaf maple, Honduran rosewood and Spanish cedar. He also fabricated and patinated all the brass hardware for the cabinet. The Urn below, was thoughtfully made made with a careful hands and is filled with lovely compound curves and parquetry. It is made of arbutus, makore and an interior from a very special piece of wood.  

Urn by Spencer Barnard  Photography by Tim Andries

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Side table by Refeal GreenblattPhotography by Tim Andries

Refeal completed this side table in bocote as a side project during his third term at the school. He used one of my earlier piecess as a starting point, adjusting the dimensions based on the wood. 

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Detail of Upward Spiral Cabinet by Jessie Lafieur  Photography by Tim Andries

Jessie Lafleur's wall cabinet was made during Upward Spiral and is made of locally harvested English walnut, pecan and imbuya. The starting point for the cabinet was Jim's maple cabinet which appears on page 21 of A Cabinetmakers Notebook. Jessie also drew a great deal of inspiration from Lael Gordon's pear cabinet made back in 2005 at the school. The back panel was playful work and shows the enjoyment of the maker.

Detail proud and pillowed joinery of Upward Spiral Cabinet by Jessie Lafieur  Photography by Tim Andries

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Interior of Upward Spiral Cabinet by Andreas Pfister - Germany  Photography by Ingeborg Suzanne Hardman

Andi Pfister made this cabinet a few years back during his Upward Spiral. I recently came across this image and remember just how lovely this fine young craftsman's work is. We are very much looking forward to Andi's return this summer and fall for Vidar's Chair and Composing.

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Britta Krenov
1922-2017

Jim & Britta Krenov 

This past spring we said goodbye to  Britta Krenov who passed away peacefully at the age of 94. In Jim's farewell address that we listen to at the end of each term, Jim speaks of just how important Britta was to him, and how grateful he was for her love. Several years ago, I was visiting Jim in his workshop one afternoon, this was about the time his eyesight began to fail. While he reflected back on the craft, I recognized just how much he missed teaching. I asked Jim if he would consider speaking to my students by phone. He immediately dismissed the idea suggesting that it would be to difficult to articulate our work over the phone. When I mentioned this to Britta before heading home, she said to leave it with her. When I arrived home later that week, there was a message from Jim saying "When can we start?" She facilitated each of the nearly two hundred and fifty lectures that followed. Britta was a kind and gentle soul who supported Jim his entire life as a craftsman. She will be dearly missed by all those fortunate enough to know her. 

“I made one object at a time because of the wood, because of the tools, with a certain idea and hope, and somehow these objects won friends and gradually, gradually, my confidence and experience increased. But for a very long time, it was touch and go. Even now, although people may think that I’ve got it made and things are going fine, even now I am only carrying my end of the plank. Someone else who is sharing life with me and has believed from the beginning in what I am trying to do is carrying the other end of that plank.” - James Krenov A Cabinetmakers Notebook
 

The above quote was taken from A Cabinetmakers Notebook. Jim wrote it in recognition of Britta, who supported Jim his entire life as a craftsman. I read this passage at the presentation of my first piece at the College of the Redwoods in honour of my soul mate, my partner in life and work, who has been with me my entire life as a craftsman. At the end of each term, I ask one of our students to read the passage, in honour of all those who support us in our life and work. This term, Yvonne had to step well outside her comfort zone and take on many new responsibilities at the school, including delivering JK's lectures. I felt it only fitting, that I read the passage myself in honour of Yvonne and Caroline's work in my absence.

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Healing

A very skilled and patient teacher

As I sit at the front bench preparing myself for our summer term, and reflect back over the past few months, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude. I suspect by now, some of you are wondering about my absence and why I am listed as Advisor this past term. At the end of February, on a beautiful spring day, my world came crashing down around me when I suffered a heart attack. The surgery went well, and In the months that followed I would walk an average of 100 kilometres a week, sit for two hours of meditation a day and attend regular yoga classes with our friends upstairs at Yoga by the Sea. This time away from the school has given me the opportunity to heal both physically and emotionally; to take the time to look within, to grieve and to let go of an old friend, and the regrets that have haunted me for nearly eight years.

While still in the hospital in Vancouver, Yvonne and Caroline met with the students, and the decision was made to continue on with the term in my absence. I was in daily contact with Caroline, who took the reins of the program and did an admirable job, with students in each of our four programs. I feel so fortunate for her friendship and feel so blessed to have such a compassionate soul as a co-teacher.  In the summer term, Caroline will take a well deserved sabbatical to travel.

Jim's' Cabinet in our home  photography by Tim Andries 

In the final weeks of the spring term, I began to take weekly visits from the students in my workshop and eventually made my way back to the school and was able to give Yvonne and Caroline a few mornings of rest. The time away has reminded me just how important teaching is to me, and has allowed me to rediscover my passion for the craft, teaching and our small school. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the entire school's family, and remind you that our school not only exists for you, but because of you.
With so much gratitude,
Robert