MoTC – James Krenov: Virtuoso in Words and Wood
A fascinating interview with the icon, looking back at his life from childhood on through to his professional life
Nov 11, 2016
*Web Producer’s Note – The slide show player we used on the old site doesn’t agree with the new site. So Jon Binzen and I have set forth updating and converting the slide shows to future-proof them. While this is time consuming, it does give us an opportunity to resurface some of these incredible glimpses into the work and minds of the world’s finest furniture makers. With the College of the Redwoods Fine Furniture program changing its name to the Krenov School, the next release seemed obvious to us. We hope you enjoy it as much today as when it was originally released in September of 2009. -Ben Strano
James Krenov, who died at age 88 on September 9th, was one of the most influential furniture makers of the 20th century. His four books, beginning with A Cabinetmaker’s Notebook, became touchstones for many woodworkers and have sold nearly half a million copies. Krenov’s message was even more powerful in person, and the 23 spots in the College of the Redwoods furniture making program where Krenov taught for 25 years were competed for by people from across the country and around the world.
Born to Russian parents, Krenov lived in Alaska and Seattle as a boy. After World War II, he went to Sweden, where he studied under furniture designer Carl Malmsten, and met his wife, Britta. They lived in Stockholm for two decades, moving to the United States in the ’70s and settling on the coast in Ft. Bragg, Calif.
Comments
Jon,
Thank you for sharing that with us. It was great to hear more of James's thoughts and views in his own voice. It is a real treasure.
Mike
This is a link to a beautifully written article from an Australian magazine: http://www.woodreview.com.au/krenov.html
What a wonderful gift! THANK YOU for sharing it!!
Great piece. It's always nice to have a voice to go along with the face. I give credit for Mr. Krenov's books as early inspiration for my own entree into woodworking. He and Norm Abrams. HA! I know some would see that as mixing the sublime with the profane but you gotta give props where they're due.
Thank you, Mr. Binzen.
always,
Zee
From Russia with Memori and Love for J.Krenov.
Thank you, mr.Binzen!
Sergey
I find it interesting that after writing "The Cabinetmaker's Notebook", he received hundreds of letters from people saying that they thought they were the only one who thought about wood like that. I distinctly remember reading his book and thinking to myself, I didn't know anyone thought about wood like that.
Thank you Jonathan for capturing and sharing that moment.
-Chuck
I find it interesting that after writing "The Cabinetmaker's Notebook", he received hundreds of letters from people saying that they thought they were the only one who thought about wood like that. I distinctly remember reading his book and thinking to myself, I didn't know anyone thought about wood like that.
Thank you Jonathan for capturing and sharing that moment.
-Chuck
I distinctly remember reading his book and thinking to myself, I didn't know anyone thought about wood like that.
Thank you Jonathan for capturing and sharing that moment.
-Chuck
That was very inspirational for me. I never would have thought to many people admit to being lucky. I have often said after finishing a piece, (to myself), that worked out better than I planed. After watching this clip, I know from now on when I think about being "lucky" I will think of Mr. James Krenov and I'm sure, a little smile will cross my face. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
I can only repeat what many others have said - thank you so much for sharing this treasure. We will miss him for sure - but when i next step back from a piece that has surpassed my expectations I too will smile and remember his voice and how lucky I am.
Trevor
You changed my life, thank you.
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