Chris Steiner

South Thomaston, Maine

Shell Clock # 2

Walnut, Cherry, Oil, Gold Leaf

36" x 12" x 6

Photo Credit Jeff Baker Photos

Chris Steiner has a solid foundation in the "rules" of woodworking from having made his living in the field for almost a decade. However, in his free time he likes to play with the medium, often bending the rules a bit, searching for some, as yet, undiscovered loop hole in the rules. Although he was once told by an instructor, "you don’t have to reinvent the wheel with every project", that is exactly the attitude he uses whenever he sets out to create a new piece. The physical work of building a piece is very satisfying for Chris, but his true passion lies in the design process. It is safe to assume that he has agonized over every curve, perspective, and detail, searching for that elusive element of perfection in his work. The challenge he creates for himself is to design pieces that are undeniably beautiful by the most conventional definition of the word, with forms that are anything but conventional. The finished pieces shown here each represent explorations of processes he has developed which allow him to create fresh new shapes and designs within the well worn medium of wood.