James Pearce

My work is reminiscent of turn of the century industrial mechanical machinery re-interpreted in wood. I use defining elements like gears, screws, and bolts. I meld these individual basic components together to make complex functioning machines in the form of tables, display cabinets, and seating.
Each piece is crafted in both traditional
techniques I have learned as fourth
generation woodworker, and new ones I
have developed to accomplish the
desired outcome. My pallet is locally
sourced hardwoods and responsibly
harvested exotic woods. Handed down finish recipes enhance and protect the character of the wood and bring a warm contrast to a normally cold utilitarian mechanism. Exploration of texture like the Japanese method of burning wood to protect siding on structures, “Shou-Sugi-Ban” creates a blackened weathered feel to the wood that mimics cast iron.