An artist's work is never finished!
A craftsman's work is never perfect!
I'm never quite sure which I am! Craft and art are opposite
ends of a kind of continuum. Exactly where the maker
spends his time depends on the step he is about to undertake, as
well as the vision guiding his movement. In the moment, its
never really clear if what I’m doing is craft or art. Either
way, I’m up against a dueling nemesis:
An artist’s work is never finished!
A craftsman’s work is never perfect!
Each will define my limitations in ways that humble
me! Work like this is highly introspective. In
it, I see myself in light that is seldom flattering, often harsh,
and without fail, brutally honest! If it’s craft, any
mistake, no matter how well hidden from the eyes of anyone who
looks, is forever burned into the memory of the maker. If
it’s art, knowing when it’s finished, then having enough
confidence in yourself to stop, is often what separates the novice
from the master!
It's about crossing a very personal line that separates
where I am from where I want to be!
 Woodworking is both my hobby and
my passion! After over 48 years in the craft, I still
consider myself a student! I love projects that
seem just a little beyond my ability. I particularly
enjoy working with veneer and marquetry, and recently have
begun to incorporate stained glass into my projects.I’m a strong believer in freely sharing what I know with anyone who is willing to take the time to learn. That is why I’ve created this website. I’m not interested in selling anyone anything! I just want a platform I can use to share some of what I’ve learned with others. In this age of bits and bytes, Facebook and twitter, smart phones and computer games, I strongly believe it is more important than ever to encourage young people to discover the pleasure of creating something with their own hands! I have a degree in Electrical Engineering and am retired after a long career in the telephone industry, mostly designing computer software. My professional life began as an entry level engineer and programmer. I retired as the corporation's Senior Technical Officer. When I enter my woodworking world, I try to leave the modern world outside my door. My shop is filled with modern tools, but I try to use hand tools as often as my skills will allow. For me, woodworking is how I connect with my inner self. When I enter my woodworking world, I usually reject “fast and easy” and prefer instead slow and difficult! I place achievement on a higher plane than expedience. I place contentment on a higher plan then gratification. My shop is located about 50 miles from Chicago in a rural area close to the city of Yorkville, Illinois. My wife and I have raised three wonderful children and are now the proud grandparents of four granddaughters and one grandson. I’m very blessed to have my son work with me on occasion. Watching him grow as a woodworker and knowing that I've passed some of my skills to him is probably the most gratifying thing I've ever done! Please feel free to send any comments or questions to larry@larryciesla.com WorkshopsI enjoy teaching and feel it is important to pass skills along to other craftsmen. If you're interested in learning how to work with veneer or how to do Italian Marquetry, and you live in the greater Chicago area, contact me about a private two day workshop. My price for putting on a private workshop is modest, and most of the price you'll pay is to cover the cost of materials. Please feel free to send any comments or questions to larry@larryciesla.com |