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I’m just not good with change, Yvonne would be the first person to tell you that. A few weeks back, we signed a lease, that will ensure our small family run craft school will remain in its current location for at least another ten years. 

As I reflect back on the nearly decade and a half in our current location I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude for all the beautiful work, but mostly the beautiful people who have past through our doors. On behave of Yvonne and myself, thank you.

Wood

Gilmers wood run

We returned from Portland and our visit to our friends at Gilmer Wood Company, with several blanks for planes and wood for pulls and latches in various exotics not on the Cities list. I hand picked an epic plank of 5/4 Cedar of Lebanon, a 12/4 wonderful plank of Swiss Pear and five pristine planks of 8/4 Sucupira all of which is being shipped to the school.

Brett & Torrie with English walnut planks

Brett and Torrie stand beside two of their exceptional finds during our annual woodrun to Portland which took place the day after our term ended. At Goby Walnut some of the finds were English Walnut, Oregon Walnut, Myrtle, figured walnut, and Madrone, what we call arbutus in Canada.

Before heading out on our wood run, we received our annual shipment from A & M Wood Specialty in Cambridge Ontario. In this years shipment included Burmese teak, narra and English brown oak. We also purchased some 8/4 ipe for plane making. 

Yesterday, I received word from a friend, also an alumni of the school telling me of a Vancouver Island woodworker selling off all his wood. The wood being sold was wood that had been carefully selected over the past 43 years, wood dating back from the early years at A & M and Unicorn. Tulipwood, English brown oak, European pear, English elm, various rosewoods, South American and Cuban mahogany. After talking things over with Yvonne, we  rented a truck and will be heading over to the Island in the next few days.

Workshop

Andi & Yvonne sawing plank of English brown Oak

A student recently said to me that it is Yvonne really is the glue that binds everything at the school together. She loves working with the students and tolerates the office work better than anyone I know. Over the past two terms, she has really embraced the machine maintenance at the school. While I have always taken pride in the state of our facility and machines, in a recent feedback form from one of our returning students, they suggested that the machines have been at their best since Yvonne took them on.

Over the last few weeks of this past term, Caroline replace all the fences on Jk’s table saw, the Wadkin dimension saw and the General table saw. In the coming term she will be replacing the fences on both the General shapers. She is using some well seasoned European beech that Yvonne milled at the beginning of last summer’s term.

Robert cutting pins one Friday evening

The image above, was taken by a student on Friday evening. While Yvonne and the  students were enjoying a pint, I sat at the front bench and refined a stet of pins on my drawer. I was lost in the work, something that has been happening more often in my life since I have cut back on teaching and returning to my own work. While Saturdays continue to be my favorite day of the week at the school. With the machines off, it gives me a chance to have quiet conversations with our students. I have yet another reason to look forward to on the weekends in the coming term. On Sunday mornings, when our students are sleeping in or catching up on their chores, Caroline and I will be heading into the school for amateur development. I have a set of four chairs in narra, that have been sitting under Jim’s bench in my workshop for a few years now. Over the break, I took the parts down to the school and found a place to store them. Caroline and I have had very little time together in the workshop since she took on a teaching role at the school. I am very much looking forward to spending this time with my co teacher and friend as we will be working on the chairs for a few hours each Sunday morning.

Details

Robert using negative templates to demonstrate rotation of grain

In the first week of the program I tell students that the two of the most important things they will learn at the school, they learn in the first week; one of these things is a very much neglected aspect of our craft, grain graphics. 

Shortly after leaving my spacious mountain side workshop just outside the Banff National Park gates; a rather large, glass front workshop with two skylights over looking mount Rundle to a small dimly light workshop in behind our Exshaw home, I discovered just how important grain graphics is in our work. Its where I had been the most happy in my work, up until recently. It was in that little workshop in the mountains that I really discovered the playfulness in the use of grain graphics.

Jim talks about the use of graphics in his books. In The Fine Art of Cabinetmaking, on page 33, he does an admirable job illustrating with photographs and text what is a inherently difficult subject to articulate in words. I had spoke to him about this before, but it was while making two rocking chairs for a client in the Netherlands, that it really hit home for me. 

I had just cut the crest rails for the chairs, the first chair was in olive ash the second in figured eastern maple. While the chairs were essentially identical, as Jim talks about in the Impractical Cabinetmaker, different woods gave each of the chairs, a very different feel. Some of the dimensions had been adjusted. I had straighten the grain and it was rift to flat sawn. I cut the curves and the rails were clamped in place. It was then, when I immediately realized that I had reversed one before cutting the curve. The crest rail on the chair in ash, with very dominate annual rings and lovely colour had strong oval pattern in the center. While it was symmetrical, it was not harmonious with the shape of the rail, and not what I had hoped for. The chair in maple had a stretched pattern, which was my intention, however due to the fine grain and heavy figure it was less noticeable. I looked through what was left of the plank of olive ash and was unable to find the stock for another rail in a similar cut to that of the maple chair. I was able rotate and straighten a piece, giving me rift cut with a a bit of colour to the bottom at the back. Cutting the curve in this piece changed everything for me. Now, I couldn’t leave the rail in the maple chair I returned to what was left of the figured maple plank and was able to rotate the stock for a similar cut. This was the starting point for my fascination with the use of grain graphics in my work.

Robert making rotation cut on the bandsaw

This would later become an obsession when I made Vidar’s chair and was unable to find stock thick enough for the crest rail. On a quiet Sunday in the school back in 2006, I made a discovery that enabled me to get the crest rail for that chair in 8/4 stock, which up until that point had only been made with a minimum of 12/4 stock. The method continues to be used at our school when making Vidar’s chair, and has been adopted by our friends at the Krenov School where the chair continues to be made on occasion. Jim often spoke of the importance of curiosity in our work.

Vidar's chair in ash with seagrass seat by Andi Pfister photography by Tim Andries

Andi completed Vidar’s Chair program this past summer, and in the fall was invited to give a presentation at the local wood guild to present his chair, talk about his experience building it, and talk about the significance of this chair at our school. Jim suggested to our students that it is an emotional craft. While we do not open the reproduction for any interpretation or change, each chair reflects the sensitivity of the student making it and is evident in the details such as edge treatment.

Andi with completed showcase cabinet in English brown oak 

Andi just completed his fifth term at the school and will be staying on for another term with the residency program. In this past term, Andi, as the first recipient of the Doug Ives Scholarship, completed rather large showcase cabinet in English Brown Oak mid term.

Andi shaping the legs of new cabinet with integrated stand

He has moved onto another large cabinet with integrated stand in kwila, doussie and boat wood, a lovely piece of vary heavy wood that we are unable to identify donated by a local boatbuilder.

games box reproduction in French walnut by Marion of France photography by Tim Andries

Marion completed her reproduction of Jim’s games box in French walnut in the Upward Spiral Program. It features a sliding lid with lock, and whimsical use of the delicate fine grained wood.

Marion and Robert selecting wood for her lap desk

Marion has discovered the playful use of Parquetry in the Composing program and will be staying of for a short residency before returning to France at the end of March. She is shown here selecting her shop sawn english walnut veneers with Robert for her parquetry lap desk.

Pipe cabinet reproduction in garry oak by Andre

Pipe cabinet by Andre  of Sooke British Columbia photography by Tim Andries

The images above show Andre’s pipe cabinet reproduction in garry oak with a tray of bocote.

Andre wrapping chair with seagrass

Above he is shown wrapping his chair in the final days of Vidar's Chair program at the school. I am very much looking forward to Andre’s return for the Composing program this fall. The chair was a gift for his lovely wife Andrea. Just a few days after completing his chair, he joined us on another another epic wood run to Portland. The enthusiasm shown by our students on the wood run was worth the trip for me.

Fine dovetails by Tang from Malaysia  photography by Tim Andries

Pipe cabinet reproduction in doussie and cocobolo by Tang of Malaysia photography by Tim Andres

Tang completed his reproduction of JK’s pipe cabinet during his Upward Spiral program this past fall. He chose doussie, one of Jim’s favorite wood, wit the tray of cocobolo. The doussie has a similar feel, yet different than the English brown oak that Jim used on the two versions he made the originals.

curved front cabinet in makore by Leanne featuring amazonian rosewood drawers and locally harvested spalted maple back panel photography by Tim Andres

curved front cabinet in makore by Leanne featuring amazonian rosewood drawers and locally harvested spalted maple back panel photography by Tim Andres

curved front cabinet in makore by Leanne featuring amazonian rosewood drawers and locally harvested spalted maple back panel photography by Tim Andres

Last spring in the Upward Spiral program Leanne completed this lovely curved front wall cabinet in makore with locally harvested spalted maple back panel. The drawers are amazonian rosewood. The frame and panel back features a veneered section in behind the drawers and pocket using lumber core and shop sawn veneers. Leanne is currently building a tiny home in Roberts Creek.

Torrie during walkaround

Torrie, from Vancouver just completed his Upward Spiral program at the school, shown during a walkaround. The walkaround, is an opportunity for students to share the triumphs and tragedies of their work. His ambitious curved front cabinet with dovetailed case in the background with three curved front drawers in granadillo underway. Over the coming months, Torrie is in the process of gathering wood and setting up his workshop in Vancouver. We are very much looking forward to his return for Vidar’s Chair.

Brett and Marion setting up high fence to cut the veneers fro his sailing exercise

Brett from friendly Manitoba, is shown here with Marion, setting up the high fence to cut the veneer for his sailing exercise. Brett completed all the exercises in the Impractical Studies program. We are grateful that Brett will be  staying on for the entire Impractical Cabinetmaker program. Brett shared with me just how much grateful he was to have Torrie, also originally from Manitoba as his benchmate in his first term. One of the benefits to having four programs running simultaneously at the school is the sharing of knowledge between students.

David carving a pull for his drawer in European cherry

David, from Seattle shown carving the finger pull for his drawer in European cherry. Jim often suggested that knives were an often neglected tool. It is for that reason that we have always made and used knives in our work. When shaped thoughtfully and sharpened well, these very personal tools are as sensitive as any of our tools and capable of everything from rough shaping to the final surfaces, leaving subtle fingerprints, or finger candy.

a place for reflection

“The manner in which you get ready for work, go to work, and the way you are while you are there affects not only those you work with, but also the quality of your work. Everything we do in our lives has an effect on our work. I, myself, am a poet but I love working in the garden growing vegetables. One day an American scholar said to me, “Don’t waste your time gardening and growing lettuce. You should write more poems instead; anyone can grow lettuce.” That is not my way of thinking. I know very well, that if I do not grow lettuce, I cannot write poems. The two are interrelated. Eating breakfast mindfully, washing the dishes, and growing lettuce in mindfulness are essential for me to be able to write poetry well. The way someone washes the dishes revels the quality of his or her poetry. Similarly, the more awareness and mindfulness we bring to our daily actions, including our work, the better our work will be. “ - Thich Nhat Hanh

Each year, Yvonne and I retreat to a little cabin on Vancouver Island, where I have used the time to reflect on the previous year, in an effort to continually improve the program and our school. There has always been a rule though. Yvonne’s rule, that for the first three days I couldn’t talk to her about work. So, I would reflect and write in my notebooks. On the fourth day after her morning coffee, I was permitted to share my thoughts. This year was no different. I have often spoken about balance, I’m obviously a slow learner but for me the quote above says it all. Since returning to my own work, teaching has become a new playground for me, one I am grateful to share with so many curious students. 
Be well and enjoy your work,
Robert

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.