Christopher Schwarz,
Jan. 13, 2024
I still carry the errors of my first stick chair with me. My first chair is made of ash and elm, and I brought it home in pieces from Canada to assemble in Kentucky.
I needed wedges to assemble the chair, and I decided on ebony. It is incredibly hard (almost like metal) and it’s black – a contrast to the light brown of the ash and elm.
What a stupid choice.
Ebony is brittle. So driving the wedges in without them splitting into a dozen pieces is difficult. I managed it, but it wasn’t fun. Every time I look at that chair – even 20 years later – I know what I did wrong.
Today Kale finished her first chair. In the end, the comb was tilted about 1/8" off horizontal. Not easily seen. But a chairmaker can see it. Plus, some small bits of blown-out grain here and there.
Overall, it’s one of the best “first chairs” I’ve seen from any student. But there are scars that will remind her of what to do different next time.
As we loaded the chair into her car today, I wondered what was next. Megan talked to her about making a Dutch tool chest to hold her tools. Kale has a dozen different chair ideas she’s talked to me about.
But there is no schedule. The next move is up to her.
Kale Vogt,
Jan. 13, 2024
My first chairmaking experience at LAP is officially over. Hours ago I climbed in next to my upside-down passenger and waved goodbye to Chris and Megan as I drove off. The chair is currently filling the corner of the spare bedroom in my partner’s house, where I spend most of my time now. The deep teal room perfectly complements the cool pops of pink and orange in the freshly waxed cherry.
I’m still coming down from the high of witnessing my chair in its first home. Every time I pass the spare bedroom I peek in to catch a glimpse of its silhouetted shape. I cant help but feel a bittersweetness towards it; I’m coming to terms with the fact that I don’t love it.
It’s difficult to admit after having put my heart and soul into this chair for the past two months, on top of Chris and Megan having been so gracious with their time and energy. My aversion towards it has nothing to do with Chris’ design but all to do with my new-maker mistakes. It’s apparent to me now that my attention to detail blocked the overall vision. I’m now understanding the importance of “reading a chair.”
After several iterations of the comb, I’m still unhappy with its shape. During my rush to finish earlier today, I forgot to double-check the height measurement on either side for the comb. The result is a 1/8" difference in height on one side that will haunt me as long as I’m its owner.
“It’s your first chair,” Megan said to me.
I’m sure she could feel my disappointment; I needed the reassurance that my work will get better with time.
I’m still processing the serendipity of this experience. In two months time, my creative trajectory has changed course. I dream differently now. I’m looking forward to a time when these mistakes are viewed as stepping stones. Only a hundred more chairs to go.
It is of no importance to the student to succeed without error. The learning is in making the errors and learning how to fix them and avoid them in the future. Excellent work. You’re on your way. In 10 years, you’ll be a good beginner.
If you take anything Chris has ever written to heart, take that the flaws you perceive in your work are likely invisible to almost everyone else. By all means take what you perceive and know to learn and improve your craft, but know that it is still a gorgeous piece of work - I got to the end of the post and the picture of your chair at home and it literally made my breath catch. It’s beautiful.