Morris Chairs; A Perfect Place to Read a Book

Mark – I am in the middle of making two Morris chairs myself. After seeing your incredible chairs and the carvings, I now find myself rethinking how to proceed with my project! I may be trying to pick your brain a little on carving later-something I’ve always wanted to learn. These are certainly the finest Morris chairs I’ve seen, thanks for the inspiration!

Mark

-- The Gnarly Wood Shoppe

Mark, I wrote this when I read about and looked at your award winning Roll-top Storage Cabinet.

”You are in a league of your own. This is a wonderful piece. The more I see of your work and the stories that go with them, the more I realize that in your case it’s impossible to differentiate the man from his craft. God has empowered you in a wonderful way.

Exodus 35: 31 – 35 ”…and he (the Lord) has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skills, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts – to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship. And He has given …him the ability to teach others.”

I want to reiterate these comments here with reference to your Arts & Crafts Carved Morris Chairs. They are true works of art; something to which I may well hope to attain, but realistically never expect to achieve.

We may never meet face-to-face in time, brother, but I do look forward to sitting in one of your Morris chairs and chatting with you about woodwork. (I’m assuming that God will commission you to make a few in His Kingdom.)

Blessings.

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/

I’m glad somebody stumbled upon this and commented recently…. I thought I looked back though the project history when I signed up last summer… I would have remembered this chair.

A chair of this type is the centerpoint of my “list.” These are exaclty the sort of chairs I would have wanted to make, without even realizing I could do an adjustable back too!

What a way to kick off your career! Outstanding!

your carving is making me want to explore that in my own work as well. Anything beyond the woodblock prints I made in college.

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Vincent Van Gogh

Thanks Don: I long for that chatting with you. I consider this work to be my “ministry”, as ill-equipped and unprepared for it as I am.

Maranatha,
Mark

———————————————
Thanks Schroeder. I added a bunch more photos tonight to help you with some of details that you might want to see. Let me know how to help you.

Mark

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thanks Scottb: I have taken a bunch of photos showing the steps to how I do this type of carving. I just never seem to take the hours it will cost to edit them all and write up the process. It is on my “to-do” list. In the meantime, ask any questions you want.

thanks,
Mark

-- Mark DeCou - Kansas Flinthill's Artisan

Mark – your work is truly magnificant. You have a wonderful gift. Thank you for sharing these photos. Your carving is an excellent addition to the Arts and Crafts style. These are the most impressive Morris chairs I have ever seen.

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

astounding.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Your work speaks for it self Mark. Enough said.

Nods.

Dusty

-- Dusty

Thanks Mark, the extra pics arel helping me make some decisions about my chairs. The veiws of the detail on the carvings is greatly appreciated!
Schroeder

-- The Gnarly Wood Shoppe

Mark: I believe that I looked at this post when you first posted it and I’m sorry that I didn’t make any comments then. But they are “beautiful man” You are truly gifted in your techniques and in your description of your work. Thanks for sharing some of your skills with us.

And I definetly will meet with you when I next get to Kansas City. It was nice talking to you on the phone a few days ago.

Karson

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

I’ve alway said you have a bright future ahead of you, with all of your beautiful productions.
It was nice to look at these chairs again, these were posted at the time when the members weren’t making comments. I looked at them when I signed up, & never went back again. I guess it’s time that I go back , & review all the posted projects to see what I’ve missed.
That goes for all of us.

-- Dick Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

You are all very kind, more than I deserve. I am honored to receive your comments and encouragement.

thanks to everyone,
Mark

-- Mark DeCou - Kansas Flinthill's Artisan

Mark another LJ put me onto your work. It’s magnificent.

Now I do have a question about the Morris chair. I’ve built a chair similar to yours – not close in workmanship I’m sure——however, it still sits in my garage just shy of finished. I’m stuck on the caps on the arms. I cannot get them to look just right – as in authentic to the style of chair. I’ve got plenty of tries that look allright but not satisfactory. How did you make your caps. I’m about to just settle for the nicest pair and go with that. But I’d like your ideas if possible before I do that.

By the way, I think your carving puts the chair in a whole other league than most. You’ve really individualized/ personalized it.

thanks.
Betsy

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

I can only aspire to produce that kind of perfection. I doff my chapeau to you sir.

Great job. I have been tempted to build a set like this for the living room.

-- Bud, NY, http://tpww.libsyn.com/