Can art furniture give us world peace?

Art and beauty are the solutions for so many problems.
Art and creativity touch the heart. It makes us human.
Art furniture? Well......

People are happiest in a beautiful space and surrounded by beautiful art and objects.
It heals the soul and gives peace, belonging and offers new ways to look at life

Spaces, personal and public have an energy.

Nature is what I use as one of my biggest attitude adjustments.
Breathing in the landscape fills me with peace.
Feeling gratitude for my indoor space,
and being surrounded by meaningful objects and art is calming and satisfying.

As for art furniture? ....
when things fit, and there are a balance and purpose in your surroundings.
there are joy and peacefulness to sit within.

So let’s just start there...
Creating your own space with so many options may seem daunting,
however, choosing artist-made everyday objects will bring in the human connection
which starts in your heart and lives in your home.
xx
Andrea

Design alert! Everyday objects (such as handcrafted furniture) are an expression of art.

Handcrafted, carved bench with layers of tones and textures. Inspired by tribal textiles.

Living with handcrafted art furniture, such as tables, seats, or even shelving,
where they become 3-dimensional sculptural works,
as well as something purposeful, is Win-win. 🎉

It makes an enormous statement in how it is integrated into the decor.
Living with art in many different forms creates a synergy, a personality, and tons of joy.
A welcome surprise to any decor and it’s an opportunity to
view everyday objects as an expression of art.

When designing art furniture,
I create applications of layers of paint, inlays, and/or textures that enhance the specific form. All blending into a cohesive piece of art.

Think of an inert table or bench .....
then think of a table that was created by hands
with a particular inspiration, a story behind it.
What has more value, more heart, and gives you more joy?
Simple...
Things with heartfelt meanings have a significant impact on your soul,
as well as, deepening your sense of style.

There ya go! Make your house a home, invest in artists and express yourself!
xx
Andrea

---

Need more inspiration?
follow andileaspen on Instagram

Gallery Block

This is an example. To display your Instagram posts, double-click here to add an account or select an existing connected account. Learn more

Why you always need a full toolbox to inspire the creative process as a furniture designer and maker.

Inspiration comes from constantly working at my craft.
I love learning new tricks and adding them to my toolbox in order to
find my voice when creating art furniture.

Many years ago I was taking a sculpture class at
Anderson Ranch Arts Center In Snowmass, CO.
I was introduced to a baby router (Technically called a trimmer).
Well, I found ways to use this piece of equipment
that became a signature in my texture making.
As a sculptor, a screwdriver has many more uses than screws!
We grab whatever we need to get the job done...

I have learned from all sorts of experiences and people.
Amazing fabricators, woodworkers, metal workers, finishers,
and other artists have shared their techniques and sources.

For example… I was picking up some steel at one of my suppliers
and had a question about a chemical process for blackening,
and several of the men also placing orders gave me recipes.

I am a sharer as well as a mentor,
and I am grateful for all who have shared with me.
As artists, we take our newfound info and run in all directions
then express something that only we can
in our own way.

PLAY.....

I seem to use that word a lot in my studio work.
And that’s how I come up with the right application
for what I am currently working on or
I keep it in my toolbox ready for another piece.

Keep playing as you work at your craft
xx
Andrea

---

Instagram is visual :)
www.instagram.com/andileaspen

Gallery Block

This is an example. To display your Instagram posts, double-click here to add an account or select an existing connected account. Learn more

Artist / Patron. The best marriage ever!

Artists and patrons, this connection is special.
When an artist unveils a vision or voice that someone else really gets... WOW!🥰

As a furniture designer and maker, my work is highly personal
and it must work within a decor design.
Identity is revealed in our homes with a ton of choices,
So ...when someone wants to live with my art furniture
it has to be beautiful and functional, they will use it, it will fit and
it will be special, unique and they get it.

Artists create.
We spend a lot of time alone, sometimes become socially inept,
but totally unabashedly, self-contained, in the world of art, in our heads, and in the studio.

Is it finished, is it too red, maybe I should..... or..... or.....

Decisions in the creative process are what we do,
so when a piece is complete and someone likes it and likes it enough to buy it
...... it’s a wow! And a gratefulness to connect.

Patrons obviously provide financial support, as well as heartfelt enthusiasm.
which not only benefits the process, end results, the soul of artists, and
amazing programs that educate and enhance the connection between artist and patrons.

The connections I feel with the art I have purchased bring me so much joy.
To feel the brush strokes, to envision the photoshoot,
and to touch where hands have made their mark.
The decisions made that connect my heart to their heart.

Thank you to all the patrons I have encountered through the years,
my own as well as the patrons of the art institutions I have been involved with.
It is a beautiful marriage!

Is it brain drain to work on several pieces of art furniture at a time?

Does your multitasking need some fine-tuning?
Even though, I do feel more connected when I do one thing at a time.
I can chew gum and walk.
But I made a commitment not to surf the web while talking to my mother on the phone 😊...
( driving doesn’t count.)
I want to be ... where I am. And that feels so much less hectic.
How does this concept transfer to my studio work?

Taking this into consideration..I came to this conclusion...

Working on several pieces of art furniture at a time in series,
allows me breathing room in the decisions for each piece.
I dive deeper, find different techniques, figure things out and play.
The next day in the studio there is more objectivity.
If there is a weakness or imbalance in a piece, the series will broadcast it.

Focusing on one piece at a time for me can be stressful,
if it’s going through an “ugly” stage,
I can redirect my energy to another piece until the right action shows up.
I feel looser and take more risks,
the journey moves into a more meaningful expression of curiosities.

In creating furniture as an art form,
often I want to see a theme in many different ways,
each piece is its own entity but the form could be similar.
Sometimes focusing on shape and sometimes the textures or applications.

So… I have revised my definition of multitasking, and my studio practice is 1 task. ;)
xx
Andrea

PS The next pop-up shop event will consist of 12 “Tini” Tables.
Abstract steel sculptures, hand-painted and perfect for a (mar) Tini!
And all will take over the studio at the same time 😉

If the email was forwarded to you
Sign up for the Andi-Le newsletter and get first access to the “ Tini” Pop Up shop