Kent Townsend
Artist Statement
Creating one of a kind, furniture represents a unique blending of the beauty, elegance, and materials of the natural world, and the Creative spirit of ones imagination.
I studied furniture making at the College of the Redwoods in northern California, A program renowned for its excellence in craftsmanship and attention to detail. There I developed an extensive background in traditional cabinetmaking techniques and hand skills. The Focused environment became the setting for me to explore complex forms and develop as an artist. I continued my education and Capellagarden in Sweden, A school with a long history in design and detailed craftsmanship. There I further developed my sense of materials, form, and composition.
My inspiration comes from Nature, Asian Arts, and work of some of the great designers/ makers of the past. Like Jacques-Emile Ruhlman, and Edward Barnsley. My current work is influenced by the Art Deco style, I enjoy its refined form and technical nature.
I enjoy the challenge of complex design. The uncertainty that goes along with this type of work and how completely involved I have to be. My goal is to create works that are enduring, Aesthetically pleasing, and made to the highest level of my ability.
Education
College of the Redwoods 2004
Capellagarden/ Sweden 2005
Publications
Woodworker West 2004
Robb Report 2007
Woodworker West 2007
Honors
Craftsmann Challenge 2007
Grand Prize/1st Place
Teaching
Private instruction in my shop
(inquire)
Comments on wood properties
Macassar Ebony
Macassar ebony is one of the finest, strongest, and rarest hardwoods in the world. It is finely grained with black stripes on a reddish brown background. Macassar is used whenever a refined look is desired...furniture, automobile dashboards, fine wood carvings, inlays, and musical instrument making. The wood is very stable after seasoning and has a natural resistance to decay.
Amboyna
This heavy, dense, rare, and exotic wood contains knots, waves, and curls which gives it a fine to coarse textured appearance. The color ranges from red, yellow, to brown. It is used for high end veneers, such as the dashboard on Rolls Royce's. Also used for making quality furniture, guitars, aircraft and automobile veneers. It is as strong as teak and hard maple and resistant to scratches and marring.
Swiss Pearwood
Swiss Pearwood is one of the finest European hardwoods which posse superior properties and is valued for its veneers. It is held in high regard worldwide and many of the prized orchards are found in Germany and Switzerland. The color is pinkish brown with a straight, tight grain and smooth fine texture. It is used for fine furniture, architectural woodwork, instrument parts, and wood carving.
Kilawa Wood
Southeast Asian wood highly valued for it's fine texture. The color ranges from yellow to white with traces of orange. It has a dense grain with medium luster and is mainly used for fine wood carvings and furniture.
Cherry
Cherry wood is a world class exotic wood that has been traditionally used in fine furniture since early America. It is finely grained and the beauty of the wood makes for exceptionally fine furniture and other uses. Cherry wood's range of color is from pink to red. It is valued for both beauty and workability.
Please contact us for other available works
info@jsauergallery.com
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