On Amateurism
MR. FITZGERALD: I read that you began making furniture professionally
in 1960. Is that correct?
MR. KRENOV: I've never made furniture professionally.
MR. FITZGERALD: Well, that you sold furniture.
MR. KRENOV: Yes. Well, I'm an amateur and I always will be. That's
the way I want to die. I'm an amateur by nature and I'm an amateur
in fact. And David Pye wrote somewhere that the best work of this
century would certainly be done by amateurs.
On Making A Living At WoodDorking
MR. FITZGERALD: What did you advise them? When you were advising the
students on how to make a living at this, what would you tell them? How
to sell - how would they sell their furniture?
MR. KRENOV: Well, my standard formula was the better work you do, the
more chance that you'll starve.
On What The Best Wood Is
MR. FITZGERALD: What's your favorite wood?
MR. KRENOV: Oh, I have no favorite wood. If it's real nice, it could
be anything really.
MR. FITZGERALD: You fit the wood to match the job, or do you select the
wood first?
MR. KRENOV: They grow together. Everything grows together.
MR. FITZGERALD: What kind of -
MR. KRENOV: You close your eyes and you think, well, if the table's
all black that's no good. And if it's all white, like maple or
something, that's no good. What else have we got? We've got
mahogany, we've got oak, we've got this and that and the other
thing. Search and hope and find something that finally commits you to
feel, well, yes, it would look nice - the chair would look nice in
this wood, and it would work well. It glues well, and the pieces I have
are dry and fine. Yes, I think I'll do it that way.
On The Best Finish
MR. FITZGERALD: What kind of finish do you like to put on it?
MR. KRENOV: As little as possible. Polish sometimes.
On Tage Frid
MR. FITZGERALD: Did you know Tage Frid?
MR. KRENOV: Oh, I tried to play tennis with him up in Aspen, but he
wasn't sober, so it didn't turn out very well. No, I didn't know
him. I didn't know him.
Read the whole thing at:
http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/oralhistories/transcripts/krenov04.htm
Enoch Root <[email protected]> wrote:
> Lobby Dosser wrote:
>> Dave Balderstone <dave***@balderstone.ca> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>In article <[email protected]>, Swingman
>>><[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>"That vase is so goddamn ugly it's has to be art".
>>>>
>>>>... ya gotta love the depth of honesty, and the nuances of his
>>>>bullshit detector, in that statement alone.
>>>
>>>When I read that I thought of one of my favorites (but I can't recall
>>>where I read it, years ago)...
>>>
>>>"I may not know what I like, but I know art."
>>>
>>
>>
>> "I may not know much about art, but I know what I like."
>
> I thought it was Andy Warhol, (who's "art" I dislike) but all the
> attributions point elsewhere.
>
> er
Might have been W.C. Fields.
Dave Balderstone wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>, Tom
> Watson <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Read the whole thing at:
> >
> > http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/oralhistories/transcripts/krenov04.htm
> >
>
> Fantastic!
Huh. Krenov's a heck of a woodworker, but I found his interview to be
annoying, like he was trying to be cute or something. Affected, maybe.
False humility? I don't know.
JP
Joe Barta wrote:
> Those that are on the wavelength of this Mr Krenov may see some others
> as uninspired clods. Some of those uninspired clods may see some of
> those on Mr Krenov's wavelength as a bit artsy or even slightly nutty.
> It's all good though... diversity is a wonderful thing and there's
> room enough for everyone.
Your post just showed after I clicked send for mine. I agree with you,
though - everyone is their own person, and what's best (for me) is to
try and embrace the good in them. Of course it's sometimes difficult,
if not impossible, with some folk.
JP
Dave Balderstone wrote:
> Jay Pique <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Huh. Krenov's a heck of a woodworker, but I found his interview to be
> > annoying, like he was trying to be cute or something.
>
> Really? I had just the opposite impression, that he was just being open
> and honest about what he does, why he does it, who he is and where he
> came from.
Hmmm...now I'm going to have to go back and read the entire transcript
through. I bounced around a bit, and it seemed like he was being a bit
obtuse at times.
> He was certainly disparaging of some schoools and guilds, and of some
> common attitudes, but I think he's earned the ability to make those
> comments.
Yes, he's definitely entitled to his opinion, and those that don't
mince words are unusual in this day and age. Without digressing into a
philosophical discussion of how people should communicate, I'll just
say that I'm starting to appreciate folks that simply say "I don't like
it" when they don't like something - rather than a whiny sort of "well,
it's not really my taste but...."
Uh-oh...I feel a digression coming on. Say I'm installing some molding
for a GC and (hypothetically, of course) he doesn't like that I haven't
fully set the nails below the surface for the putty/paint guys. Rather
than him getting all disappointed in me and saying he really wishes
those nails were set cuz it creates problems for the painters and do I
think, maybe, I could try and set "most" of them - I'd much rather him
say "Hey - I want those nails set properly." It's quick, effective and
lets me know in no uncertain terms what he expects. A "thanks" when he
leaves and I'm back to work, with no hard feelings. There's just not
enough of that these days.
That's all.
JP
Jay Pique wrote:
> Rather than him getting all disappointed in me and saying he really wishes
> those nails were set cuz it creates problems for the painters and do I
> think, maybe, I could try and set "most" of them - I'd much rather him
> say "Hey - I want those nails set properly." It's quick, effective and
> lets me know in no uncertain terms what he expects. A "thanks" when he
> leaves and I'm back to work, with no hard feelings. There's just not
> enough of that these days.
>
> That's all.
>
> JP
Can't agree more. Today's crap is political correctness and all about
making sure you always use positive ways of communicating. Starting any
sentences by : "I don't... or I'm not..." must be prohibited because of
the possibilities of offending someone somewhere who wouldn't have all
the intellectual abilities to handle such devastating comments that may
end up destroying their self-esteem.
I never bought that crap and never will. Maybe it will go away one day
when we realize it didn't improve anything.
Cyberben
In article <[email protected]>, Tom
Watson <[email protected]> wrote:
> Read the whole thing at:
>
> http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/oralhistories/transcripts/krenov04.htm
>
Fantastic!
--
Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
- Mark Twain.
In article <[email protected]>, Jay
Pique <[email protected]> wrote:
> Huh. Krenov's a heck of a woodworker, but I found his interview to be
> annoying, like he was trying to be cute or something.
Really? I had just the opposite impression, that he was just being open
and honest about what he does, why he does it, who he is and where he
came from.
He was certainly disparaging of some schoools and guilds, and of some
common attitudes, but I think he's earned the ability to make those
comments.
Still, some like/love his work, some dislike/are neutral to it. I like
his work, and found the interview gave me some insight into the person
behind it.
It's possible, of course, that if I heard the interview rather than
simply reading a transcript, I'd hear what you read, but it didn't come
through the printed word for me.
djb
--
Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
- Mark Twain.
In article <[email protected]>, Swingman
<[email protected]> wrote:
> "That vase is so goddamn ugly it's has to be art".
>
> ... ya gotta love the depth of honesty, and the nuances of his bullshit
> detector, in that statement alone.
When I read that I thought of one of my favorites (but I can't recall
where I read it, years ago)...
"I may not know what I like, but I know art."
--
Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
- Mark Twain.
In article <[email protected]>, Enoch
Root <[email protected]> wrote:
> I surmise he's taking a poke at what Pritam & Eames has become.
When I look at their web site, there's little there that makes me think
I'd like to run my hands over the piece.
--
Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
- Mark Twain.
One of the characteristic of the elderly is the lack
concern for what others may think of what they
say or do. There is no need to impress anybody
for some future personal benefit. Mr. Krenov
does not seem to be a self promoter - something
Mr. Maloof is very good at. Given his childhood,
he became a pretty independent self confident
person very early in lifeand somewhat of a loner.
Several folks who know him describe him as
a curmudgeon - quickly adding - "and a very
very good craftsman."
So imagine being interviewed by someone
who obviously hasn't read any of your books,
and is asking questions you've answered
dozens of times already. And unlike "celebrities",
"publicity" doesn't mean a thing to you.
At a certain age, one's tolerance for inaneness
drops off significantly - and some of the
questions asked by the interviewer were
pretty dumb.
In addition to his integrating the wood,
and a design that use it well, I particularly
like his "do a few things extremely well,
rather than a lot of things adequately"
Haven't been able to actually implement
the approach - I try too many things -
but I'm working on it.
If you like his approach to things you
might want to go here, download the
image, print it and stick it on the shop
wall for inspiration..
http://home.comcast.net/~charliebcz/KrenovPondering.html
charlie b
"Tom Watson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Amateurism
>
> MR. FITZGERALD: I read that you began making furniture professionally
> in 1960. Is that correct?
>
> MR. KRENOV: I've never made furniture professionally.
>
> MR. FITZGERALD: Well, that you sold furniture.
>
> MR. KRENOV: Yes. Well, I'm an amateur and I always will be. That's
> the way I want to die. I'm an amateur by nature and I'm an amateur
> in fact. And David Pye wrote somewhere that the best work of this
> century would certainly be done by amateurs.
>
>
> On Making A Living At WoodDorking
>
> MR. FITZGERALD: What did you advise them? When you were advising the
> students on how to make a living at this, what would you tell them? How
> to sell - how would they sell their furniture?
>
> MR. KRENOV: Well, my standard formula was the better work you do, the
> more chance that you'll starve.
>
>
> On What The Best Wood Is
>
> MR. FITZGERALD: What's your favorite wood?
>
> MR. KRENOV: Oh, I have no favorite wood. If it's real nice, it could
> be anything really.
>
> MR. FITZGERALD: You fit the wood to match the job, or do you select the
> wood first?
>
> MR. KRENOV: They grow together. Everything grows together.
>
> MR. FITZGERALD: What kind of -
>
> MR. KRENOV: You close your eyes and you think, well, if the table's
> all black that's no good. And if it's all white, like maple or
> something, that's no good. What else have we got? We've got
> mahogany, we've got oak, we've got this and that and the other
> thing. Search and hope and find something that finally commits you to
> feel, well, yes, it would look nice - the chair would look nice in
> this wood, and it would work well. It glues well, and the pieces I have
> are dry and fine. Yes, I think I'll do it that way.
>
>
> On The Best Finish
>
> MR. FITZGERALD: What kind of finish do you like to put on it?
>
> MR. KRENOV: As little as possible. Polish sometimes.
>
>
> On Tage Frid
>
> MR. FITZGERALD: Did you know Tage Frid?
>
> MR. KRENOV: Oh, I tried to play tennis with him up in Aspen, but he
> wasn't sober, so it didn't turn out very well. No, I didn't know
> him. I didn't know him.
>
>
> Read the whole thing at:
>
> http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/oralhistories/transcripts/krenov04.htm
>
If you are looking for a bunch of dumb answers then here they are ......mjh
Lobby Dosser wrote:
> Dave Balderstone <dave***@balderstone.ca> wrote:
>
>
>>In article <[email protected]>, Swingman
>><[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>"That vase is so goddamn ugly it's has to be art".
>>>
>>>... ya gotta love the depth of honesty, and the nuances of his bullshit
>>>detector, in that statement alone.
>>
>>When I read that I thought of one of my favorites (but I can't recall
>>where I read it, years ago)...
>>
>>"I may not know what I like, but I know art."
>>
>
>
> "I may not know much about art, but I know what I like."
I thought it was Andy Warhol, (who's "art" I dislike) but all the
attributions point elsewhere.
er
--
email not valid
Yes indeed - well said. I found it goofy and marvellous - struck both
chords with me. I find I look at a piece of wood and try to feel what it
would be best used for, and also find myself wishing I had the skill
required ti mak eit so, but - I understood what he was saying. Particulatly
the bit about the better you make something the more likely you are to
starve - if you are trying to make a profession out of that work.
Mike Richardson
(Deliberately top-posted - not to annoy.)
>
> Does seem to demonstrate that different people operate on different
> wavelengths. To me as well, some of the answers above are a little
> goofy. Then again to others they strike a chord.
>
> Those that are on the wavelength of this Mr Krenov may see some others
> as uninspired clods. Some of those uninspired clods may see some of
> those on Mr Krenov's wavelength as a bit artsy or even slightly nutty.
> It's all good though... diversity is a wonderful thing and there's
> room enough for everyone.
>
> Joe Barta
Dave Balderstone <dave***@balderstone.ca> wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>, Swingman
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> "That vase is so goddamn ugly it's has to be art".
>>
>> ... ya gotta love the depth of honesty, and the nuances of his bullshit
>> detector, in that statement alone.
>
> When I read that I thought of one of my favorites (but I can't recall
> where I read it, years ago)...
>
> "I may not know what I like, but I know art."
>
"I may not know much about art, but I know what I like."
mike hide wrote:
>
> "Tom Watson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> On Amateurism
>>
>> MR. FITZGERALD: I read that you began making furniture
>> professionally in 1960. Is that correct?
>>
>> MR. KRENOV: I've never made furniture professionally.
>>
>> MR. FITZGERALD: Well, that you sold furniture.
>>
>> MR. KRENOV: Yes. Well, I'm an amateur and I always will be.
>> That's the way I want to die. I'm an amateur by nature and I'm an
>> amateur in fact. And David Pye wrote somewhere that the best work
>> of this century would certainly be done by amateurs.
>>
>>
>> On Making A Living At WoodDorking
>>
>> MR. FITZGERALD: What did you advise them? When you were advising
>> the students on how to make a living at this, what would you tell
>> them? How to sell - how would they sell their furniture?
>>
>> MR. KRENOV: Well, my standard formula was the better work you do,
>> the more chance that you'll starve.
>>
>>
>> On What The Best Wood Is
>>
>> MR. FITZGERALD: What's your favorite wood?
>>
>> MR. KRENOV: Oh, I have no favorite wood. If it's real nice, it
>> could be anything really.
>>
>> MR. FITZGERALD: You fit the wood to match the job, or do you
>> select the wood first?
>>
>> MR. KRENOV: They grow together. Everything grows together.
>>
>> MR. FITZGERALD: What kind of -
>>
>> MR. KRENOV: You close your eyes and you think, well, if the
>> table's all black that's no good. And if it's all white, like
>> maple or something, that's no good. What else have we got? We've
>> got mahogany, we've got oak, we've got this and that and the
>> other thing. Search and hope and find something that finally
>> commits you to feel, well, yes, it would look nice - the chair
>> would look nice in this wood, and it would work well. It glues
>> well, and the pieces I have are dry and fine. Yes, I think I'll
>> do it that way.
>>
>>
>> On The Best Finish
>>
>> MR. FITZGERALD: What kind of finish do you like to put on it?
>>
>> MR. KRENOV: As little as possible. Polish sometimes.
>>
>>
>> On Tage Frid
>>
>> MR. FITZGERALD: Did you know Tage Frid?
>>
>> MR. KRENOV: Oh, I tried to play tennis with him up in Aspen, but
>> he wasn't sober, so it didn't turn out very well. No, I didn't
>> know him. I didn't know him.
>>
>>
>> Read the whole thing at:
>>
>> http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/oralhistories/transcripts/krenov
>> 04.htm
>>
>
> If you are looking for a bunch of dumb answers then here they are
> ......mjh
>
Does seem to demonstrate that different people operate on different
wavelengths. To me as well, some of the answers above are a little
goofy. Then again to others they strike a chord.
Those that are on the wavelength of this Mr Krenov may see some others
as uninspired clods. Some of those uninspired clods may see some of
those on Mr Krenov's wavelength as a bit artsy or even slightly nutty.
It's all good though... diversity is a wonderful thing and there's
room enough for everyone.
Joe Barta
"Dave Balderstone" wrote in message
> Really? I had just the opposite impression, that he was just being open
> and honest about what he does, why he does it, who he is and where he
> came from.
"That vase is so goddamn ugly it's has to be art".
... ya gotta love the depth of honesty, and the nuances of his bullshit
detector, in that statement alone.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 12/13/05
On Wed, 22 Feb 2006 02:49:23 GMT, "Mike Richardson"
<[email protected]> wrote:
><snip> I find I look at a piece of wood and try to feel what it
>would be best used for, and also find myself wishing I had the skill
>required ti mak eit so...
It happened just this weekend. I was making a couple of bluebird
houses and grabbed some cedar I had lying around. I took the first
pass at planing it down and saw the loveliest curl I've seen in any
wood, let alone cedar. I asked myself, do I really want to use this
piece on a bird house?
I looked around and didn't see a better one - the bluebirds are gonna
love it!
TWS
Dave Balderstone wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>, Jay
> Pique <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>>Huh. Krenov's a heck of a woodworker, but I found his interview to be
>>annoying, like he was trying to be cute or something.
>
>
> Really? I had just the opposite impression, that he was just being open
> and honest about what he does, why he does it, who he is and where he
> came from.
>
> He was certainly disparaging of some schoools and guilds, and of some
> common attitudes, but I think he's earned the ability to make those
> comments.
>
> Still, some like/love his work, some dislike/are neutral to it. I like
> his work, and found the interview gave me some insight into the person
> behind it.
>
> It's possible, of course, that if I heard the interview rather than
> simply reading a transcript, I'd hear what you read, but it didn't come
> through the printed word for me.
I agree. I read that interview two times and more when I first found
it. I was happy that there is someone with the stature to say what age
gave him the wisdom to say. It was for a cultural quasi-governmental
archive--maybe that's why it saw the light of day.
I surmise he's taking a poke at what Pritam & Eames has become.
er
--
email not valid
On Tue, 21 Feb 2006 20:05:36 -0600, Dave Balderstone
<dave***@balderstone.ca> wrote:
>In article <[email protected]>, Jay
>Pique <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Huh. Krenov's a heck of a woodworker, but I found his interview to be
>> annoying, like he was trying to be cute or something.
>
>Really? I had just the opposite impression, that he was just being open
>and honest about what he does, why he does it, who he is and where he
>came from.
>
>He was certainly disparaging of some schoools and guilds, and of some
>common attitudes, but I think he's earned the ability to make those
>comments.
>
>Still, some like/love his work, some dislike/are neutral to it. I like
>his work, and found the interview gave me some insight into the person
>behind it.
>
I don't necessarily care for the style of his work, but I certainly
appreciate the craftsmanship and his approach to his work. I think one can
take away something from any expert, even if the particular design styles
employed by that expert don't resonate with your own style preferences.
>It's possible, of course, that if I heard the interview rather than
>simply reading a transcript, I'd hear what you read, but it didn't come
>through the printed word for me.
>
>djb
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
If you're gonna be dumb, you better be tough
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+