This interview with Monte Pittman is from the February 2013 issue of our LumberJocks’ eMag.
1. How did you first get started working with wood?
Partially from both parents believing that is you can make it for yourself, then do so. A lot from my mother. She helped build the dairy barn, house, corrals, made all the kitchen cabinets and living room furniture. At 83 she still does wood burned pictures as well as numerous other arts and crafts.
2. What was it about woodworking that initially caught your interest, enticing you to get into it at the level you are now?
Really, when I started I would never have dreamed that I would even attempt many of the things that I am doing now. It comes down to: the further I went the further I wanted to go. Then when I found this site I realized that the sky is the limit.
3. Tell us a bit of history of your journey from that beginning to where you are today
When I started I was happy with a reasonably straight butt joint. I am still not very good at joints, but I am trying much harder. I stare at how seamless many of these folks make theirs and it continues to motivate me to do better.
4. What inspires you regarding wood creations?
The wood, plain and simple. I love seeing the wood and trying to imagine how I can use it so that I can display it’s beauty.
5. What are the greatest challenges that you have met along the way? (and how did you overcome them)
The need to learn vs the time to learn. I probably spend way too much time on LJ’s studying everything. I look at every post to get ideas and to learn. Sometimes learning greatly cuts into sleep time, but I hope that this is what i do full-time in the near future.
6. What is the greatest reward that you have received from woodworking? (personal or tangible)
Probably sounds corny, but my greatest reward has been the people I have met through this site and the information I have learned from them. Irreplaceable.
7. What is your favourite tool that you use for woodworking?
Hard to say. I slab trees, so right now the chainsaw and soon to be bandsaw mill. It’s the first time I get to see what the wood looks like. Christmas in every tree trunk.
8. What is your favourite creation in/for your woodworking?
Very hard to say. At this point I still am thrilled with everything I am able to do.
9. What tips would you give to someone just starting out or currently struggling with woodworking?
I find that virtually all of the mistakes I make are because of a lack of patience and trying to cut corners. You’ll be much happier with the outcome if you take your time to do it right.
10. How did you find LumberJocks and what is it that keeps you coming back?
Found it on an internet search. What keeps me coming back is the shear artistry of the people that are here and how absolutely wonderful most have been to talk to. It’s like being able to have a conversation with Picaso. Even ones that I haven’t talked to has been an inspiration to me. Evweything from Triferns turnings to Jeffros horse. Things I may never try, still inspire me to try different things.
Thank-you to Monte for taking the time out of his busy schedule to do this interview!
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
29 comments so far
Jamie Speirs
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3684 posts in 1028 days
#1 posted 95 days ago
Nice one Debbie & Monte
Jamie
-- Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own. --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
hunter71
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1268 posts in 1358 days
#2 posted 94 days ago
Great interview, I like them. It brings us all closer.
-- A childs smile is payment enough.
eddie
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4622 posts in 786 days
#3 posted 94 days ago
yes great interview Monte and thanks for #9 i do the same thing and that was great advice
-- Jesus Is Alright with me
helluvawreck
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10480 posts in 1038 days
#4 posted 94 days ago
Great interview, Monty. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and found that I got to know you better because of it. Thanks.
MsDebbie, thanks for these interviews. Keep ‘em coming.
helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
-- If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. Henry David Thoreau
jfk4032
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117 posts in 698 days
#5 posted 94 days ago
Great interview and background to your woodworking journey Monte. You’ve become a nice online friend and your encouraging and supportive comments always are welcomed. Best wishes going forward to you and your family and your further growth into woodworking.
-- ---Joel; Central MD...rookie empter nester and getting back into woodworking!
jjw5858
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988 posts in 774 days
#6 posted 94 days ago
Great interview Monte! You inspire me for sure with all of your creative ideas!
All the best!
Joe
-- "Make something you love tomorrow...and do it slowly" JLB
GerardoArg1
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231 posts in 166 days
#7 posted 94 days ago
Great interview Monte!!! Your ideas be inspiration! Greetings from Argentine
-- Disfruta tu trabajo (enjoy your work)
dakotawood
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129 posts in 955 days
#8 posted 94 days ago
Great interview Monte. I just want to add a side note as to the character of Monte. We found that we both live in SD. I had asked where he gets his beautiful wood that he uses for a lot of his projects. He then said that he was going to be in my part of the state to mill some trees and he offered to bring some wood for me. What a great gesture and a great person. Thanks Monte.
-- Travis, South Dakota
prattman
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396 posts in 289 days
#9 posted 94 days ago
Great interview Monte, your work and your encouragement inspire me. Thanks Debbie, love the interviews.
-- Everyone calls me Ed or Eddie , mom still calls me Edward if she is mad at me.
Roger Clark aka Rex
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6253 posts in 1607 days
#10 posted 94 days ago
Great interview, great guy, great woodworking and great humor. A model LJ, if ever there was one.
-- Roger-R, Republic of Texas. "Always look on the Bright Side of Life" - An eyeball to eyeball confrontation with a blind person is as complete waste of Time.
Grampa_Doodie
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115 posts in 470 days
#11 posted 94 days ago
Very nice interview you two. I especially like your answer to #6 Monte. I too have learned so much from this great community of woodworkers. I’ve never been a part of a nicer, more informative group of people than the I have with the members of LumberJocks.com.
Gramps.
-- If at first you don't succeed...DO NOT try skydiving.
WoodenFrog
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2364 posts in 1085 days
#12 posted 94 days ago
Great one Debbie And Monte!!
-- Robert B. Sabina, Ohio.....
luv2learn
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768 posts in 475 days
#13 posted 94 days ago
Monte, I can relate to your woodworking journey. In fact, I think many of us can. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. Thank you Debbie for organizing this format.
I have looked at project post of LJ’s from over the globe and realize that the love of woodworking transends language and geography and gives us all a common bond.
-- Lee~"If the women don't find you handsome, at least they ought to find you handy"~ Red Green
Greg The Cajun Box Sculptor
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3780 posts in 1480 days
#14 posted 94 days ago
Excellent interview..It is always fun to learn more about what learning path and personal paths we all take…and besides, woodworkers are the upper level of quality people in this world.
-- Every step of any project should be considered your masterpiece if you want the finished product to reflect the quality of your work. http://www.FineArtBoxes.com
MaroonGoon
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94 posts in 130 days
#15 posted 94 days ago
Monte, luv2learn is right! I can relate with you because I was inspired to start woodworking for the same exact reason. I don’t know why but the sheer beauty of the seemingly unlimited variety of woods amazes me. The first thing that catches my eye in anyone’s project is posted here is the wood and how beautiful it is. Good luck in future projects!
-- "Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone." -- Pablo Picasso
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