Art Fx is a year-long series on Huntsville Doppler featuring Huntsville-area visual artists.
“Burl-esque” by Allen Markle (Catajjen Boxes and Boards) is a 13” x 11” x 5” valet-style (no interior dividers) wooden box, finished with oil and wax. There are seven different burls used (hence the name burl-esque): ironwood, both soft and hard maple, walnut, cherry, and cottonwood burls have been shaped and fitted to form the lid; a beech burl was used as legs and lift on a particularly well-charactered teak body. An interesting fastener is used for a closer. It is available for $435.
“There has always been an appreciation for wood in my family,” notes Allen. “Starting out building cottages on the Lake of Bays with my father, I was the one whose patience was tested by being told to do the ‘fiddly bits’ and it was through this I learned to develop certain skills.”
Allen enjoys crafting the odd pieces of wood mother nature provides into usable art. “There’s an enjoyment in the scents of the different woods, the textures and tones that appear as they’re sanded and finished to create that unique box or board. The satisfaction of seeing a good joint and it being appreciated by a viewer. This is where I find my pleasure and I hope others do also,” he says.
“’Burl-esque’ is one such box that gave challenge.”
Catajjen Boxes and Boards is on Facebook here. Reach Allen there via Messenger or at 705 789 7383.
See more local art in Doppler’s Art Fx series here.
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So beautiful, Allen!