Lou Quallenberg Studios to attend Western Design Conference in
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Llano, Texas, August 26, 2008 — Once again the talented mesquite artist Lou Quallenberg has created a breathtaking mesquite coffee table art piece. The piece is a perfect combination of nature and sculpture. Lou tries to draw the soul of the tree into each piece he creates. He looks upon each tree as a unique gift and tries to honor it's long life with the creations he brings forth from it's trunk and branches. If you get a chance to look at and touch this new piece you will find it talking to you, maybe even singing. Its soul along with a piece of Lou's spirit are fused into the piece creating a concept the Japanese call takumi. It is a goal Lou Quallenberg tries to reach in each of his pieces.
The piece is scheduled to debut at the prestigious Western Design Conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Now in its 16th year, the conference continues to be the foremost exhibition and celebration of what is happening in the world of western design. It is an honor to be accepted to exhibit at the Western Design Conference. The juried show, featuring nationally recognized artisans and craftspeople working with wood, metal, leather, textiles, and more, runs Sept. 4-6, 2008. The world's preeminent exhibition of Western furniture, home accessories, fashion, and jewelry features a wide range of artistic influences, including Cowboy, Adirondack, Rustic, Lodge, Asian, Southwestern, Hispanic, Native American, and Modern. Approximately 100 exhibitors and 3,500 western enthusiasts, collectors, and design professionals plan to attend the three-day event at the Snow King Resort.
The Western Design Conference is hosted by Teton Home and Living magazine with a mission of helping nurture the evolution of design in the American West. The conference is part of the opening days of the popular Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival, Sept. 4-21, 2008. The WDC exhibition and sale will be open to the public Thursday, Sept. 4 from Noon to 5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Snow King Conference Center in Jackson. Tickets are $15, or $35 for a three-day pass. For additional information, call (307) 690-9719 or visit http://www.westerndesignconference.com/.
Lou along with his wife Cheryl, mentor/partner and father-in-law Steve Walker, mother-in-law Carolyn Walker and brother-in-law Shawn Walker will all be involved in getting this piece and it's sister piece safely to the show in Jackson Hole. It will require special care because of its extra large size. The Jackson coffee table measures 10 ft 4 inches at its longest length, 2 ft 8 inches at its widest point and is 1 ft 6 inches high. The sister piece measures 9ft 2 inches in length and 2 ft 6 inches at its widest point. Both of the tops are natural mesquite slabs that measure a hefty 1 ¾ inches in thickness. The trip of about 1,300 miles each way is expected to take 3-4 days each way.
Lou's work is sure to create a buzz and will represent the Texas Hill County with honor. They are each real treasures for generations to come and art that functions as furniture.
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Lou Quallenberg Wins Best Texas Style Furniture at The 9th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show®
Llano, Tx.- November 1, 2008 - The Ninth Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show located in Kerrville, Texas held it's Reception and Award Ceremony Saturday night November 1, 2008. This is a Juried Show, so being accepted to the show is an Honor in itself. Sixty five phenomenal pieces of Furniture were accepted this year. The Show began October 23rd and runs through December 6, 2008 at the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center.
Lou Quallenberg of Llano, Texas created the unique Mesquite Coffee Table that won the Texas Style Category. The table has a flowing natural mesquite top that floats on steel rods above a matching contemporary curve of laminated mesquite. The piece is unusual because of its large size and the holes and open spaces that Lou sculpted out. The table made its debut at the Western Design Conference in Jackson Hole Wyoming in September along with it's sister piece. The two pieces are called sisters because they came from the same tree and have lived their entire life side by side. “Sister” the winning table is a little smaller(9ft 2in L x 2ft 6in W x 1ft 6in H) than “Jackson” (10ft4in L x 2ft8in W x 1ft 6 in H). The two pieces are displayed together at the show in an almost yin yang like effect. While the pieces were judged and are priced individually the artist secretly hopes that they find a home together.
The tables are a perfect combination of nature and sculpture. Lou tries to draw the soul of the tree into each piece he creates. He looks upon each tree as a unique gift and tries to honor it's long life with the creations he brings forth from it's branches and trunk. If you get a chance to view these sister pieces you will find them talking to you, maybe even singing. The tree's soul along with a piece of Lou's spirit are fused into the pieces creating a concept the Japanese call takumi. It is a goal Lou Quallenberg tries to reach in each of his pieces and probably what made this table an award winner.
Judges for this year’s show included internationally acclaimed master furniture maker, teacher and mentor Michael C. Fortune, from Ontario, Canada, Asa Christiana, Editor of Fine Woodworking Magazine of Newton, Connecticut and Paul Sellers dean of the Homestead Heritage Woodworking School of Woodworking in Waco, Texas. # # #
Lou Quallenberg Wins Best Art Furniture at Texas Furniture Makers Show
Llano, Tx.- November 7, 2005 - The Sixth Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show located in Kerville, Texas held it's Reception and Award Ceremony Saturday night November 5, 2005. This is a Juried Show, so being accepted to the show is an Honor in itself. Seventy phenomenal pieces of Furniture were accepted this year. The Show began October 28th and runs through December 4, 2005 at the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center.
Lou Quallenberg of Llano, Texas created the Mesquite Coffee Table that won the Best Art Furniture Category. The Table has a natural mesquite top that floats above a contemporary curve of mahogany and four beautifully stylized legs. Some of the natural cracks and crevices of the mesquite top contain bits of gold and turquoise. The overall effect is both beautiful and functional. A real piece of Art.
Lou Quallenberg was raised in a home that doubled as a Photography Studio/School.Identified early as an artist, he picked up a camera as a young boy and never had the opportunity to look back. Lou worked in the family Studios until he spread his wings in 1985 and went on his own to become a successful commercial photographer. Working with numerous large companies to create advertising photography of the highest caliber he built a strong reputation.
In 1993 Lou met Cheryl Walker and discovered her love for Texas. They were married in 1995 and bounced between Texas and New Jersey. In 2002 the lure of the Texas Hill Country was too strong to resist so they made a final move across the country to Llano,Texas, where they opened a Photography Gallery. Lou had already uncovered his love for wood, this move gave him a chance to concentrate on that love and hone his skills. It also gave him a chance to work side by side with Steve Walker his Father-In-Law, Partner, and Mentor. Taking it to the next level is what Lou is really all about and he continues to reach new levels year after year. Lou Quallenberg creates Art that functions as Furniture. # # #
MEGA MESQUITE LOG LANDS IN LLANO
Lou Quallenberg Studios brings home a big tree to create art that functions as furniture
Llano, Texas, May 21, 2007 — Saturday evening May 19th marked the arrival of an enormous mesquite tree in Llano. Lou Quallenberg, his father-in-law Steve Walker, brothers-in-law Shawn Walker and Terry Martin, with friends Bill Gleason and Karl Rhodes traveled to San Angelo very early Saturday morning to cut down and bring back this monster mesquite tree. The cut tree log is about 12 feet long, 34 inches wide on the end, about 47inches in the middle and weighs about 2.5 tons. Most Texans do not realize that mesquite trees can reach these sizes but they can and do, with the majority being found in South Texas. A tree of this size could be over 200 years old.
This tree was growing very near a home in San Angelo. The home owner lived in fear of the branches falling and seriously damaging the home. This gentleman saw Lou's work, a unique mix of contemporary and nature, at the Texas Mesquite Show in San Angelo and asked Lou if he could remove the tree and use it for his furniture. Lou looks upon this tree as a unique gift and will try to honor it's long life with the creations he will bring forth from it's trunk and branches.
Lou Quallenberg Studios creates a contemporary style furniture that captures the essence of the Texas Hill Country. Working primarily with Texas Mesquite, they attempt to honor the wood and highlight it's natural beauty. Each curve is carefully created to match the natural curves of the mesquite top. The curved designs are hand crafted to enhance the look as well as serve as strong support, creating a piece that is both functional and beautiful. The finish is a hand rubbed oil and wax that calls out for you to touch it. They are each real treasures for generations to come and Art that functions as furniture.
The trick now will be to find a Mill with a large enough saw to cut the log into whole slabs. This tree may end up taking another very long road trip before it can be dried and then used to create one of Lou's special pieces.
Lou Quallenberg Studios to Debut Mesquite Partners Desk at the Western Design Conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Llano, Texas, September 3, 2009- Artisan Lou Quallenberg has created another stunning, live edge, mesquite functional art piece. Designed as a Mesquite Partners Desk it features four curved drawers each curved and fitted into the curved apron, custom antler drawer pulls and leg arches, as well as his signature live edge, floating top and curves, curves, curves! The piece is a beautiful combination of both nature and sculpture. Lou attempts to draw the soul of the tree into each piece he creates. He looks upon each tree as a unique gift and tries to honor it's life with the creations he brings forth from it's trunk and branches. If you get a chance to look at and touch his work you will probably find it talking to you, maybe even singing. Its soul along with a piece of Lou's spirit are fused into the piece creating a concept the Japanese call takumi. It is a goal Lou Quallenberg tries to reach in each of his pieces.
The piece is scheduled to debut at the prestigious Western Design Conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Now in its 17th year, the conference continues to be the foremost exhibition and celebration of what is happening in the world of western design. It is an honor to be juried and accepted to exhibit at the Western Design Conference featuring approximately 100 nationally recognized artisans and craftspeople working with wood, metal, leather, textiles, and more. The world's preeminent exhibition of Western furniture, home accessories, fashion, and jewelry features a wide range of artistic influences, including Cowboy, Adirondack, Rustic, Lodge, Asian, Southwestern, Hispanic, Native American, and Modern received 200 artist applications this year. Four Texas artists will have their work on display for the expected 3,500 western enthusiasts, collectors, and design professionals attending the three-day event. Sept. 10-12, 2009 at the Snow King Resort.
The Western Design Conference is hosted by Teton Home and Living magazine with a mission of helping nurture the evolution of design in the American West. The conference is part of the opening days of the popular Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival, Sept. 10-20, 2009. The WDC exhibition and sale will be open to the public Thursday, Sept. 10 from Noon to 5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Snow King Conference Center in Jackson. Tickets are $15, or $35 for a three-day pass. For additional information, call (307) 690-9719 or visit http://www.westerndesignconference.com/.
Lou's work is sure to create a buzz and will represent Texas and the Texas Hill County with honor. A real treasure for generations to come and art that functions as furniture. # # #
Lou Quallenberg Wins Best Texas Style Furniture at The 10th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show®
Llano, Tx.- November 9, 2009 - The Tenth Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show located in Kerrville, Texas held it's Reception and Award Ceremony Saturday night November 7, 2009. This is a juried Show, so being accepted to the show is an Honor in itself. Seventy six incredible pieces of Furniture were accepted this year. The Show began on October 22nd and runs through December 5, 2009 at the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center. http://www.kacckerrville.com/texasfurnitureshow.html
Lou Quallenberg of Llano, Texas created the stunning, live edge, Mesquite Partners Desk that won the Texas Style Category. Designed as a Mesquite Partners Desk it features four drawers each curved and fitted into the curved apron. Each drawer has a self closing mechanism and can be opened to full extension while two drawers include a removable drawer tray with a magnetic catch to hold them in place. Other special touches include custom antler drawer pulls and leg arches, as well as his signature live edge, floating top and curves, curves, curves! Black epoxy was used to fill several of the holes, cracks and crevices while some were sculpted and left open. The artist’s signature “curved mesquite bowties” and mesquite splines were used to hold any larger cracks together. Dimensions of the desk are 72”Lx 42”Wx 34”H. Photos can be seen online at: http://www.louqart.com/mesquite_desk.html
The piece is a beautiful combination of both nature and sculpture. It is a piece that radically changes the concept of Texas Style, bringing a more contemporary, refined look that would fit well in the most sophisticated Penthouse in New York City. Lou Quallenberg won the Best Texas Style Category at last year's Texas Furniture Makers Show with his Mesquite Sister Coffee Table created from an unusually large slab of mesquite with a much less dramatic venture off of the more rustic "Texas Style" path.
Ironically Lou Quallenberg works primarily with Texas mesquite wood in an area that has become quite famous for it's mesquite smoked barbecue. Lou tries to honor each mesquite tree used to create his pieces and finds a connection with each unique piece of wood that comes through his shop. His goal is to create a piece that you want to reach out and touch. Judging from the number of hands, handprints and fingerprints on his piece at the Awards presentation he easily reached that goal with this amazing new piece.
Judges for this year’s show included Nationally recognized Jonathan Binzin of New Milford, Connecticut, writer, photographer and former Senior Editor of Fine Woodworking Magazine with continued contributions identifying and interviewing most of the woodworkers that have been showcased on the back page of the Magazine. He also writes for This Old House and American Craft Magazines and has a published book written along with Kevin Rodel "Arts & Crafts Furniture From Classic to Contemporary" http://store.taunton.com/onlinestore/item/arts-crafts-furniture-jonathan-binzen-070491.html
Spider Johnson a multitalented professional Artist, Furniture Maker, Musician, Writer and Wood Marquetry Master from Mason, Texas http://spiderjohnson.com/index.html
And finally Curtis Whittington a professional Furniture Maker, Master Craftsman and former Texas Furniture Maker Show Judge residing in Boerne, Texas. ###
