We were recently invited to include the Block Chair in an exhibit, 'This is Not a Chair', at the Lewis Museum in Claremont, CA. Claremont is our town and has been home to a wide range of artists including Sam Maloof, Karl Benjamin, Millard Sheets and so many more. We've lived in Los Angeles, Detroit and now this quaint LA suburb and have found this place to be a lovely melting pot of creatives and design enthusiasts.
We often get emails from students, aspiring artists and furniture makers who want to learn how we're doing it and how to make a living in the business of art. I think one of the things we've long neglected to mention is the importance of community because, frankly, we've been going it alone for quite some time. Finding community is hard. It can be elusive and can take time but it's important. Our friends are in many fields, but for the most part, not in the arts and the struggle of an artist is so unique. There's really no blueprint beyone your own experience, wits and creativity - all of which have a tendency to lead you down many different paths, sometimes all at once. And of those paths, many do not lead to a sense of groundedness (or profitability).
All of this to say, whatever path you walk, it's nice to know other people who share your experience, in our case working artists, because the perspective is unique. To be able to talk shop, ideate and, sometimes, commiserate with someone who understands your joys and your struggles is so important for the health of your mind and your business.
Being part of this exhibit has put us into the fold. We are proud to be part of a community that not only embraces its design roots but also, lucky for us, welcomes new designers to contribute to its rich artistic heritage.