Here is a recent exchange between me and a fine craftsman whose work did not get accepted into the Readers Gallery. It illustrates why people shouldn’t take those decisions personally. Often they are based on reasons beyond the craftsmanship and design of the pieces in question. I’ve also attached pictures of his two fine pieces. I’m happy to say that the reader graciously accepted my explanation (contained in the next post).
Here are the pieces in question:
And here is his letter:
Please can you tell me why you choose not to use my material? I would like to know so perhaps I can make needed adjustments if I decide to send more material to your magazine or others. Perhaps you can use a different picture? If it’s my craftsmanship, without meaning to sound to proud, I would be a bit surprised, knowing my work won Best in Class and Blue Ribbons at the Del Mar Fair in San Diego, CA. Also the clock made the wall at Palomar Woodworking College, and not many clocks or 100 class projects get that honor. The clock and box were highly complemented by Sam Maloof at the Palomar College annual summer fair, he even took the time to take a picture with me in front of my work.
As former Secretary for the San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association (and current member) I have the pleasure to meet and talk with lots of woodworkers at our meetings and at the Del Mar Fair’s Design in Wood showcase. Many members are familiar with my work as are teachers ( such as Russ Filbeck )and students at Palomar College and have encouraged me to send my pictures into Fine Woodworking which I did. The reason I bring all this up is, if many discerning woodworkers feel my work should be seen in such a fine magazine as Fine Woodworking, again why don’t you?
Replies
And my response:
Thanks for the note. We usually hesitate to explain exactly why items didn’t make it into the gallery, because it is hard to do without leaving the person feeling insulted, even when the news really isn’t bad (which it isn’t at all in your case). But I do try to explain when people ask me to. With your two pieces, the issue was not at all craftsmanship, nor was it design. They are tasteful, and impeccably crafted. It’s just an issue of type of woodworking. Not a lot of our readers try marquetry, so we limit the amount of marquetry we show. In other words, we wouldn’t want to do all guitars, marquetry and turning, and lose the chance to do the tables and cabinets people are building far more frequently. It is a matter of usefulness, not whether something is interesting. People use the gallery, not just peruse it. So it is tough to get marquetry in there. When we do run inlay and marquetry, it tends not to be literal characters and pictures, but more classical, stylized motifs, since again we have found that the latter resonates better with our readers. So no offense at all, I hope. Please do not take this stuff personally. Your work is wonderful, and I’m not surprised it has won awards. --Asa Christiana, Editor, Fine Woodworking
And he was very understanding:
Thanks for the rundown. No offense taken. As always it comes down to the bottom line, display what sells, I understand. Even though I don't think the clock falls into the marquetry explanation you gave. And many woodworkers build clocks at some point (usually before they attempt to build a table or cabinets).
I am sure the pictures would have been a refreshing break from the norm, but it's your call and I respect that. Perhaps I will send you a picture of the Chippendale Small Chest of Drawers I am building when it's done with hopes of better luck.
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