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| About the Artist Robert J. Cutler |
Excellence in Fine Woodworking 1. DESCRIPTION OF PRESENT WORK. Turned highly figured bowls with intricate inlay Precious and semi-precious metals are used as well as pre-historic materials found in Alaska. Each piece is finished with a formula I developed that seals and protects the integrity of the inlay. This finish also protects and enhances the three dimensional properties of the wood. 2. DESCRIPTION OF PAST WORK. Cabinets, furniture, boxes, clocks, scrimshaw, carving and jewelry design (including silver casting). 3. PROJECTION OF FUTURE WORK. My desire is to create larger, more intricate pieces including furniture, using my combined skills of design, inlay, carving, metal work and finishing techniques. I invasion-creating works that will one day (hopefully in my lifetime) be recognized as some of the best in the world. 4. WHO OR WHAT HAS HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR WORK? God. He has given me the intense desire to leave something truly beautiful and something of value to mankind long after I’m gone. 5. AWARDS OR COMMISSIONS. Best of Show Tri-Cities Holidays at the White House Washington D.C. People’s Choice Award Anchorage Fur Rendezvous Anchorage, Alaska 5 time winner People's Choice Award Box and Container competition Northwest Gallery of Fine Woodworking Seattle, Wa. 6. MAJOR EXHIBITS American Art Company Tacoma, Wa. Small Treasures del Mano Gallery Los Angeles, Ca Our Turn Now Ohio Crafts Museum Detroit Institute of Art Turned Wood del Mano Gallery Los Angeles, Ca. National Lathe Turned Objects exhibit Highlight Gallery Mendocino, Ca. Holiday’s at the White House Washington, D.C. American Craft Council Show Baltimore, M.D. Kipp Gallery at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (SOFA) International Exposition of Sculpture Objects & Functional Art New York, New York (SOFA) International Exposition of Sculpture Objects & Functional Art, Chicago, Illinois 7.PERMANENT COLLECTIONS Detroit Institute of the Arts Bob Bohlin Collection Whoope Goldberg Collection Neil and Susan Kay Collection Fleur Bressler Collection White House Permanent Collection 8. HOW DID YOU DECIDE OR EVOLVE INTO USING PRESENT MEDIUM? I was privilege to have grown up in Alaska when it was still a territory and I was always intrigued by nature and the lessons it had to teach. When it came time for me to make a living, I found conventional jobs too restricting and un-fulfilling. I missed the excitement of creativity I experienced when I was closer to nature. My first project was a clock made from a burl on a tree in my backyard. That was all it took! 25 years later I am still working with the Alaskan woods I have always loved. 9. DO YOU USE ANY PERSONALLY DESIGNED TOOLS OR TECHNIQUES? Yes, I have re-designed my metal lathe for outboard turning. The inlay and lamination work I do is of my own creation and design. Due to the unique materials and design of my work, I have also developed my own finishes and finishing techniques. 10. WHAT DO YOU DO TO EVOKE YOUR CREATIVITY? Nothing. Creating is something I do instinctively. It's like breathing, I do it quite well but I don't have to think about doing it. 11. DO YOU DRAW YOUR DESIGNS AND CONCEPTS OR DESIGN AS YOU WORK? I always design as I work. I love surprises!!!!!!!!! 12. WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE CONTEMPORARY CRAFTS BEING PRODUCED NOW AND THE PLACE OF THE CRAFTS-PERSON TODAY? Craftsman or craft-person was a title that used to be given to one who had acquired the philosophy and skill to produce nothing but the highest level of work. I feel that there are many fine crafts-people still producing excellent work today. Unfortunately there many more who call themselves "craftsmen" but don't have the philosophy and therefore, never develop the skill to actually become a crafts person. As far as the craft-persons place in our society today, I believe they have always had and will always have an important place in our society. They helped get us out of our caves and on to the moon. It doesn't matter what they build, beautiful works of art or space stations, their integrity and desire to produce the very best they can is what will help us achieve true civilization. 13. PUBLICATIONS FEATURING YOUR WORK. Nature Transformed, Detroit , Michigan Contemporary Turned Wood, Los Angeles, California The Fine Art of Wood, Detroit Michigan Woodturning, Sussex, England Fine Furniture, Taunton Press, Newtown, Connecticut Wood Central Shop Shots, Saratoga, New York Alaska Magazine Anchorage, Alaska Peninsula Clarion Kenai, Alaska Alaska Handcraft Catalog Juneau, Alaska |