Musings of a furnituremaker Actually it's not my first blog, that is. There are three (whoa, dude, how prolific) already floating, or being, or doing the doggie paddle, or whatever it is that blogs do, already on my website. I'm going to figure out how to upload them to this blog site, but for now, if you'd like to see them, (and i promise you they will be far more interesting than this drivel), you can see them at : jonathancohenfinefurniture.com. Actually, i'd be quite honored if you took a look and passed on your reactions, assuming , of course , that they spur you to action. One word of warning: i have … [Read more...]

When I was very young my father often silenced my protests with a curt, do as I say, not as I do. The apple doesn't fall very far from the tree. Many times in the past 18 years when I have been giving slide shows and/or critiques at the University of Washington School of Architecture, I am asked to show the students some of my sketches. I have always replied honestly, that there really aren't any. It isn't a part of my process. I do not draw because wood is not flat and white like paper and furniture is not seen as a series of graphic outlines. Nor is it 5 or 6 tall like it might be in a drawing. Then why not … [Read more...]

IT Ain't CSI, but woodworking has its moments Sometimes, even after years of coming to an understanding with something you love, in my case, making furniture, things still happen which leave us grasping for explanations. Years ago I was asked to do ten pieces for a prestigious law firm here in Seattle that was opening a new office. The president of the firm was a very big art patron and he made it very clear that he didn't just want furniture, he wanted pieces of art that would make his firm AND me very proud. There was even going to be a huge reception when they were done, because coincidentally with the … [Read more...]

People often ask me where does one get a style for one's creative endeavors. It sometimes makes me cringe. I do not believe one gets a style. Not, at least, in the sense of consciously setting out to develop one. I believe we all have one in us, and the more valuable use of our energy is in just getting to work and leaving the issue of style to unlock itself. That does not mean we don't make conscious efforts to refine it or focus it. But I do not feel as though you can put on a style much more successfully than you can fake an accent when you speak. It will always be in danger of feeling somewhat contrived … [Read more...]

When I was very young my father often silenced my protests with a curt, do as I say, not as I do. The apple doesn't fall very far from the tree. Many times in the past 18 years when I have been giving slide shows and/or critiques at the University of Washington School of Architecture, I am asked to show the students some of my sketches. I have always replied honestly, that there really aren't any. It isn't a part of my process. I do not draw because wood is not flat and white like paper and furniture is not seen as a series of graphic outlines. Nor is it 5 or 6 tall like it might be in a drawing. Then why … [Read more...]

Sometimes, even after years of coming to an understanding with something you love, in my case, making furniture, things still happen which leave us grasping for explanations. Years ago I was asked to do ten pieces for a prestigious law firm here in Seattle that was opening a new office. The  president of the firm was a very big art patron and he made it very clear that he didn't just want furniture, he wanted pieces of art that would make his firm AND me very proud. There was even going to be a huge reception when they were done, because coincidentally with the large commission they were asking me to do, … [Read more...]

People often ask me where does one get a style for one's creative endeavors. It sometimes makes me cringe. I do not believe one gets a style. Not, at least, in the sense of consciously setting out to develop one. I believe we all have one in us, and the more valuable use of our energy is in just getting to work and leaving the issue of style to unlock itself. That does not mean we don't make conscious efforts to refine it or focus it. But I do not feel as though you can put on a style much more successfully than you can fake an accent when you speak. It will always be in danger of feeling somewhat … [Read more...]